Arroyo ally not surprised by new plunder raps vs ex-President, son

AN ALLY of Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said he wasn't surprised with the new plunder case filed against the former President and her son, Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo.

"We haven't seen the case. We only learned about it now so we cannot make a comment. We just hope that it's not another political vendetta. Anyway, we're already used to that," House Minority Leader and Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez said in a press conference Wednesday.

Suarez is a close ally of the former President. They are both party members of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

Lawyers Robert Guevarra and Renecio Espiritu Jr. filed the 17-page plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday over two aborted infrastructure projects in Camarines Sur allegedly costing the government P676 million.

The complainants alleged that Arroyo, who was then President, used public funds to boost her son's congressional bid in the second district of Camarines Sur in 2010.

"The shameless and unconscionable use of the people's money was done in order to create for then presidential son, Dato Arroyo, a political bailiwick in the province of Camarines Sur. Respondents, by their deliberate, brazen and wanton act, treated public funds as if it were private bank accounts to be dispensed as their royalesque caprice and frivolity see fit," the complainants said.

Both Arroyos are running for re-election in their respective districts this May elections. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)