Ex-Philippines President Arroyo, 21 others charged with plunder

Manila – Former Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 21 government officials were charged Thursday with plunder for alleged misuse of the $20.74 million Malampaya fund in 2009.

Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, whose office has jurisdiction over the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), has conducted the investigation and led the filing of complaints before the office of the Ombudsman, reports Xinhua.

Arroyo’s cabinet officials such as former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman were also charged with plunder.

Some of them were also facing violation of anti-graft and corrupt practices act.

The $20.74 million was given to fake NGOs. It was meant to benefit victims of Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma in 2009.

De Lima said the NGOs falsified the signatures of local officials whose areas were hit by weather disturbances.