MANILA -- Bayan Muna Representatives Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares filed a letter-complaint against Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a day after she stepped down as the President of the Philippines.
According to the two, Arroyo is in violation of the Revised Penal Code, the
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials for her involvement in various issues including the "Hello, Garci" scandal, the National Broadband Network-ZTE Corporation deal, the fertilizer scam and human rights violations.
“The regime of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ended. But its crimes live on. Unless justice is rendered on Mrs. Arroyo and those who conspired with her in robbing the nation, killing innocent civilians and debasing its institutions, impunity reigns and will continue to reign," the letter said.
After stepping down from the highest position in the country, the people now have the opportunity to hold Arroyo accountable for her crimes, the lawmakers added.
Bayan Muna wants the Department of Justice to investigate first the NBN-ZTE project last 2007 where it was alleged that Arroyo ordered SSS president and chief executive officer Romulo Neri and other officials to approve the contract for the project despite the circumstances of bribery and other irregularities affecting it. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
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