Even if she hurdles her electoral sabotage case, plunder charges may wreck her travel plans

THE Office of the Ombudsman has been urged to expedite the filing of plunder charges against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo  to ensure that she will not escape the crimes she committed.

In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño has expressed apprehension that some justices of the Supreme Court, most Arroyo-appointees, might jeopardize the arrest and trial of the electoral sabotage case filed against the former President.

In order to prevent this, the plunder case should be immediately filed before the Sandiganbayan, in connection with the $328-million NBN-ZTE deal.

Arroyo is facing the non-bailable offense of electoral sabotage before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court for allegedly ordering then Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. to ensure the victory of the Team Unity senatorial candidates in the 2007 mid-term elections.

Yesterday, Casiño together with Bayan chairperson Carol Araullo and Makabayan vice-president Liza Maza went to the Office of the Ombudsman to file a motion to pre-empt a “motion for extension of time to file counter-affidavit” that is expected to be filed by the Arroyo camp.

Arroyo has been given until today, Nov. 21, to file her counter-affidavit after being given a 30-day extension.

“Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales should expedite the case and file it with the Sandiganbayan within the week,” Casiño said.

They likewise filed an urgent motion asking the Ombudsman to resolve the case in order for the plunder charge to be filed immediately with the Sandiganbayan.

Arroyo is accused of favoring the Chinese telecom company ZTE allegedly because over P1 billion in bribes and kickbacks from the deal were earmarked for her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, and former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos.

Arroyo denied the charge, stressing that she cancelled the NBN-ZTE contract when the scandal broke out.

“We hope that this will be the case that will seal her fate in jail!” Casiño said.