Akbayan Party today welcomed the Office of the Ombudsman's order directing former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and several others to issue counter-affidavits to the plunder case filed by former Representative Risa Hontiveros regarding the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Intelligence (PCSO) fund scandal.
Hontiveros, who is the principal complainant to case commended the Ombudsman for taking urgent notice of the charge.
“I commend the Office of the Ombudsman’s swift response to this case. From an institution previously notorious for its sluggishness in resolving cases of corruption, it is now quickly transforming into a real 'tanod ng bayan'. This is what the public demands from the institution, prompt in responding to cases of corruption, yet, judicious in its decisions. We are very happy on how the plunder charge is progressing,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros also lauded new Ombudsman chief Conchita Carpio-Morales. She said her group is very happy with the Office of the Ombudsman under the leadership of Carpio-Morales.
“We hope more cases of corruption involving big-time erring public officials will advance in a steady progress. The backlog left behind by the previous ombudsman must be immediately addressed and resolved,” Hontiveros added.
It was reported that a day after the 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Simeon Aquino wherein Carpio-Morales was pronounced as the new ombudsman, Hontiveros together with former Brigadier General Danilo Lim and social activist Jimmy Regalario filed plunder and malversation charges against Arroyo and several others concerning their alleged misuse of P325-million intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Hontiveros said the prosecution of the Arroyos is the first important undertaking Carpio-Morales must accomplish.
“Ombudsman Carpio-Morales has a tremendous task to accomplish. But she is not alone in this fight. The Filipino people is solidly behind her. Gloria's legacy of corruption must be erased. And we will ensure that justice and accountability will wash it away,” Hontiveros said.
In an order issued last August 11, 2011 and received by the complainants yesterday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Gloria Macagapal Arroyo, former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, former PCSO chairman Sergio Valencia, former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte, former PCSO board member Manuel Morato and several others to file counter-affidavits to the plunder case filed by Hontiveros, Lim and Regalario.
The Office of the Ombudsman stated in the order that it finds enough basis to proceed with the preliminary investigation of the plunder case. ###
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