THE Ombudsman has directed former President Benigno Aquino III and former Budget secretary Florencio Abad to answer charges of illegal use of public funds, usurpation of legislative powers and violation of Republic Act 3019, or graft.
Renato Reyes of Bayan Muna posted in his Facebook account the first page of the Ombudsman’s order.
“Acting on the sworn complaint, the above-mentioned respondents are hereby required to file their counter-affidavit, together with the affidavits of their witnesses, and other supporting documents, if any, within 10 days from receipt of this order, in three eligible copies addressed to this Bureau through the Central Records Division, 2nd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road, Government Center, North Triangle, Diliman 1101 Quezon City, furnishing the complainants with a copy, with proof of service to the complainants who may file a reply thereto within a period of 10 days from receipt thereof,” the order read.
“Failure to file counter-affidavit within the aforesaid period shall be deemed as a waiver of respondents’ right to submit controverting evidence and the preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly.’
“Thereafter, this case shall be deemed submitted for resolution on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties, whose presence may be dispensed with, unless otherwise required for clarificatory questioning.”
In July, the eft-leaning Bayan Muna and Gabriela, along with the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, asked the Ombudsman to indict Aquino and Abad for the use of the Disbursement Acceleration Program, an economic pump-priming measure. The Supreme Court declared DAP as unconstitutional.