Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY — Partylist lawmaker Carlos Isagani Zarate on Tuesday, July 19 expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s dismissal of plunder charges against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The case involves the alleged plunder of the P366-million confidential intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during Arroyo’s term as president. Arroyo now serves as the 2nd District Representative of Pampanga.
In a vote of 11-4, the SC on Tuesday ordered for Arroyo’s release from house arrest at the Veterans Memorial Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.
“More could have been done to strengthen the case and make the former president accountable. Unfortunately, it seems that the previous Aquino administration was merely contented in keeping her politically paralyzed in the past six (6) years rather than obtaining a conviction,” Zarate said in a statement.
Zarate said Pres. Aquino “miserably failed to give justice to the Filipino people and punish accountable public officials who plundered the nation.”
Human rights violations
Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan also noted that the Arroyo administration “left behind 1,206 victims of political killings and 206 victims of enforced disappearances among activists, peasants, and human rights workers.”
“The United Nations Human Rights Committee issued its separate resolutions on the Philippine Government’s accountability on the killings of Benjaline Hernandez, Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy. Yet, the BS Aquino government did not pursue Arroyo’s prosecution based on the UNHRC recommendations,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay.
Palabay also said Pres. Arroyo should be held accountable for the rights abuses against health workers called Morong 43 and the Ampatuan massacre.
Palabay said Pres. Aquino “only used Arroyo as an excuse for his inefficiency and ineptitude in governance, and pursued charges against Arroyo only for show.”
“While plunderers and murderers like Arroyo are set free from prison, more than 500 political prisoners remain in jail, many of them arrested during the Arroyo regime,” she said.
Zarate said although they consider the SC decision as a “setback”, they will continue their campaign to hold former government officials accountable, including Pres. Aquino.
“Dapat managot ang lahat na sangkot sa katiwalian, hindi lang si dating presidente Arroyo, dapat higit pati si Noynoy Aquino, at kanilang mga kasapakat (All officials involved in corruption should be held accountable, not only President Arroyo. President Aquino and his cohorts should also be held accountable),” he said.
Atty. Theodore Te, SC Public Information Office Chief and spokesman announced the SC ruling in a press conference on Tuesday:”WHEREFORE, the Court GRANTS the petitions for certiorari; ANNULS and SETS ASIDE the resolutions issued in Criminal Case No. SB-12-CRM-0174 by the Sandiganbayan on April 6, 2015 and September 10, 2015; GRANTS the petitioners demurrers to evidence; DISMISSES Criminal Case No. SB-12-CRM-0174 as to the petitioners GLORA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO and BENIGNO AGUAS for insufficiency of evidence; ORDERS the immediate release from detention of said petitioners; and MAKES no pronouncements on costs of suit.” (davaotoday.com)
