GMA, son cleared in CamSur projects anomaly

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed plunder and graft charges filed against Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her son Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo in connection with the construction of the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam and Skybridge 1 and 2 projects in Camarines Sur.

In a report dated April 22, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the recommendations of the anti-graft agency’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) to terminate the case as the evidence presented failed to prove the charges against the former president and her son.

The ruling said there was no evidence to show that Arroyo and her son participated in the planning or implementation of the projects. 

It said the funding for the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam and Skybridge 1 and 2 projects did not come from the President’s Social Fund or Dato’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The ombudsman said the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam project was included in the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)’s annual procurement plan for 2008 while the Skybridge 1 and 2 in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s’ design and build infrastructure project scheme in 2009.

The anti-graft agency said there was no evidence showing the respondents financially gained from the projects as both were funded through the regular budget of the agencies.

Neither was it proven that the respondents received P50 million in alleged kickbacks from the projects. 

The 700-million dam project was ordered suspended by NIA administrator Carlos Salazar in December 2009 due to opposition from local residents and based on a study of the Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) of the Ateneo de Naga University.

The INECAR reported the probability of flooding in downstream towns, which could threaten the area’s biodiversity and livelihood of residents.