Ombudsman Conchita Carpio and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. File/Composite

Motion for reconsideration may be filed, says Carpio-Morales

MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman is working on another case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose acquittal of plunder by the Supreme Court was announced yesterday.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales confirmed that her office is still conducting preliminary investigation into possible corrupt acts involving Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds from 2004 to 2007.

''If, after preliminary investigation, we believe that there was probable cause, then we will certainly hale her [Arroyo] to court,'' Morales told reporters.

"Even assuming we find probable cause to hale her to court, it would depend on the assessment of Sandiganbayan whether indeed there was probable cause."

Morales could not recall how much PCSO funds were involved, but Arroyo's lawyer, Laurence Arroyo, earlier revealed that the new case involves P57 million. This is P7 million more than the P50 million threshold for a plunder complaint.

Morales said the principle of double jeopardy does not apply to Arroyo as the other PCSO plunder case which the SC effectively dismissed involves a different period of transactions.

The plunder case in which Arroyo was acquitted was in connection to alleged misuse of P366 million in PCSO intelligence funds from 2008 up to 2010.

Meanwhile, Morales said Ombudsman prosecutors may file a motion for reconsideration on the SC decision ''if warranted."

She believes that her office built a strong case against the former leader.

''We were able to present strong evidence consisting of 600-plus pieces of evidence… and testimonies of so many witness reflected in 43 stenographic transcripts,'' she said.

''To us, these are exhaustive records which reflect that the prosecution was able to prove without reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused."