Sandiganbayan pressed to cancel passports of ex-PCSO execs

Former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte. FILE PHOTO

State prosecutors on Tuesday urged the Sandiganbayan to reject former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Rosario Uriarte’s motion opposing the cancellation of her passport and those of two coaccused who fled the country after being charged with plunder.

Uriarte, along with former PCSO board directors Jose Taruc V and Ma. Fatima Valdez have not been indicted and face arrest in connection with their alleged participation in the alleged embezzlement of P366 million in PCSO intelligence funds between January 2008 and June 2010. The prosecution has sought the cancellation of their passports.

Other coaccused in the case are former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and six former officials of the PCSO and the Commission on Audit.

Assistant City Prosecutor Julieta Zinnia Niduaza and Assistant Special Prosecutor Ma. Hazelina Tujan-Militante said the contentions of Uriarte and Taruc that they did not evade prosecution was totally misplaced.

The prosecutors insisted that the arrest warrants issued against the accused by the antigraft court would be rendered useless if the accused were to be allowed to remain outside the country and the jurisdiction of the court.