Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Philippines seeks new charges against ex-leader Arroyo


ANILA (AFP) - The Philippine government ombudsman called for graft charges to be filed against former president Gloria Arroyo on Monday for alleged diversion of state lottery funds in the latest accusation to hit her. Arroyo remains confined in a government hospital while facing charges of vote-rigging. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, whose office is in charge of investigating government officials, called on an anti-graft court to file 'plunder' charges against Arroyo and nine other government officials. In a statement, the Ombudsman said it had found Arroyo, 65, and the others, mostly former state lottery officials, had diverted about 366 million pesos (S$11 million) in lottery funds from 2008 to 2010.