Atty. Raul Lambino said he got the information around noontime on Tuesday that the SC has voted 11-4 in favor of the granting of demurrer to evidence they filed beating the charge of plunder regarding the alleged misuse of the P366-million intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Lambino, Arroyo’s legal counsel and one of her legal advisers, said they filed a demurrer before the Sandiganbayan First Division over the alleged misuse of the PCSO funds.
A demurrer is a written plea for the dismissal of a case.
The First Division denied Arroyo’s demurrer in 2015, prompting her camp to elevate the case to the SC.
“In effect, the dismissal of the case is a result of the acquittal of the president regarding that case that caused her detention for almost six years,” Lambino said in a TV interview Tuesday.
“This is the only case confronting GMA and we hope that by tonight after all the rules and regulations on the release were done by the SC, the PNP can process the release papers and she will be able to go home to her residence this afternoon,” Lambino said.
He said the former president is happy and is looking forward to going home.
Meanwhile, Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales said “justice has prevailed” and Arroyo’s acquittal is “a vindication.”
“This is good for our country especially Pampanga and the second district which she represents,” the mayor added.
Arroyo has been in hospital detention at the Veteran’s Memorial Hospital in Quezon City after she was ordered arrested by former Secretary of Justice Leila De Lima.
