TIMELINE: The Arroyo plunder case | ABS-CBN
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TIMELINE: The Arroyo plunder case
TIMELINE: The Arroyo plunder case
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 19, 2016 07:03 PM PHT
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Former President Gloria Arroyo has been ordered released from detention by the Supreme Court (SC) after the high court granted her plea for demurrer to evidence on a plunder case she is facing for the questionable release of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds in her last two years as chief executive.
Former President Gloria Arroyo has been ordered released from detention by the Supreme Court (SC) after the high court granted her plea for demurrer to evidence on a plunder case she is facing for the questionable release of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds in her last two years as chief executive.
Here's a look at the Arroyo plunder case, and how long it has taken before the high court's ruling came out.
Here's a look at the Arroyo plunder case, and how long it has taken before the high court's ruling came out.
On July 16, 2012, the Ombudsman filed a P366 million plunder case against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the alleged misuse of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
On July 16, 2012, the Ombudsman filed a P366 million plunder case against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the alleged misuse of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Also charged were former PCSO chair Sergio Valencia, former general Rosario Uriarte, former board members Manuel Morato, Jose Taruc, Raymundo Roquero, Maria Fatima Valdes, former budger and accounts manager Benigno Aguas, Commission on Audit (COA) chair Reynaldo Villar and Intelligence and Confidential Fund Audit Unit Head Nilda Plaras.
Also charged were former PCSO chair Sergio Valencia, former general Rosario Uriarte, former board members Manuel Morato, Jose Taruc, Raymundo Roquero, Maria Fatima Valdes, former budger and accounts manager Benigno Aguas, Commission on Audit (COA) chair Reynaldo Villar and Intelligence and Confidential Fund Audit Unit Head Nilda Plaras.
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The Ombudsman charged them for diverting the PCSO's budget to an intelligence fund that could be accessed only by a select few.
The Ombudsman charged them for diverting the PCSO's budget to an intelligence fund that could be accessed only by a select few.
Those charged then supposedly used the funds in the guise of fictitious expenditures, justified by irregularly issued disbursement vouchers.
Those charged then supposedly used the funds in the guise of fictitious expenditures, justified by irregularly issued disbursement vouchers.
Valencia, Morato, and Roquero were granted bail in June 2013.
Valencia, Morato, and Roquero were granted bail in June 2013.
On October 4, 2012, the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for Arroyo's arrest.
On October 4, 2012, the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for Arroyo's arrest.
Thirteen days later, on October 17, the anti-graft court granted the former president's request for continued hospital arrest.
Thirteen days later, on October 17, the anti-graft court granted the former president's request for continued hospital arrest.
On October 24, Arroyo asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order in her favor, and dismiss the plunder charges against her.
On October 24, Arroyo asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order in her favor, and dismiss the plunder charges against her.
August 27, 2014 - Her lawyers filed a demurer to evidence before the anti-graft court's first division, where she essentially said, teh evidence presented against her is insufficient to prove her guilty beyong reasonable doubt.
August 27, 2014 - Her lawyers filed a demurer to evidence before the anti-graft court's first division, where she essentially said, teh evidence presented against her is insufficient to prove her guilty beyong reasonable doubt.
This was denied by Sandiganbayan on April 6, 2015, paving the way for her trial for plunder.
This was denied by Sandiganbayan on April 6, 2015, paving the way for her trial for plunder.
However, on October 15, 2015, Arroyo's lawyer Estelito Mendoza asked the high court to dismiss her plunder case and suspend the proceedings before the Sandiganbayan.
However, on October 15, 2015, Arroyo's lawyer Estelito Mendoza asked the high court to dismiss her plunder case and suspend the proceedings before the Sandiganbayan.
This was granted five days later, October 20, with the high court suspending trial until February 2016.
This was granted five days later, October 20, with the high court suspending trial until February 2016.
The suspension was further extended for 60 days in March 11, and another 60 days in May 3, with the suspension finally lapsing in June 20.
The suspension was further extended for 60 days in March 11, and another 60 days in May 3, with the suspension finally lapsing in June 20.
Through this time, Arroyo has been spending her days inside the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).
Through this time, Arroyo has been spending her days inside the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).
In a statement, Arroyo thanked her supporters for their prayers for her freedom. She also thanked President Duterte, who she said, allowed due process to take its course totally unhampered, and to the Supreme Court justices, for finally ending her persecution.
In a statement, Arroyo thanked her supporters for their prayers for her freedom. She also thanked President Duterte, who she said, allowed due process to take its course totally unhampered, and to the Supreme Court justices, for finally ending her persecution.
She is expected to be free by Wednesday, July 20.
She is expected to be free by Wednesday, July 20.
- Top Story, ANC, July 19, 2016
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More guns than people: Why tighter US firearms laws are unlikely
More guns than people: Why tighter US firearms laws are unlikely
Andy Sullivan,
Reuters
Published Apr 14, 2021 07:00 PM PHT
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WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden announced limited measures to tackle gun violence last week, but more ambitious steps will be harder to enact despite widespread public support.
WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden announced limited measures to tackle gun violence last week, but more ambitious steps will be harder to enact despite widespread public support.
Here are some facts about gun violence in the United States:
Here are some facts about gun violence in the United States:
HOW MANY AMERICANS OWN GUNS?
With about 121 firearms in circulation for every 100 residents, the United States is by far the most heavily armed society in the world, according to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, a research group.
With about 121 firearms in circulation for every 100 residents, the United States is by far the most heavily armed society in the world, according to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, a research group.
However, gun ownership is becoming less common across the country. One in three US households owned firearms in 2016, down from nearly half in 1990, according to the RAND Corp think tank. Ownership varies significantly by state: 66% of Montana households owned firearms, compared with just 8% in New Jersey.
However, gun ownership is becoming less common across the country. One in three US households owned firearms in 2016, down from nearly half in 1990, according to the RAND Corp think tank. Ownership varies significantly by state: 66% of Montana households owned firearms, compared with just 8% in New Jersey.
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WHAT SORT OF LAWS GOVERN FIREARMS?
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution enshrines the "right to bear arms," which the Supreme Court has interpreted to allow individuals to keep handguns at home for self-defense. The conservative-leaning court may soon decide whether gun owners can carry guns outside the home.
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution enshrines the "right to bear arms," which the Supreme Court has interpreted to allow individuals to keep handguns at home for self-defense. The conservative-leaning court may soon decide whether gun owners can carry guns outside the home.
The federal government requires most gun buyers to clear a criminal background check and tightly regulates ownership of machine guns, which are fully automatic, and silencers.
The federal government requires most gun buyers to clear a criminal background check and tightly regulates ownership of machine guns, which are fully automatic, and silencers.
Most other gun laws are set at the state level, where policies vary widely.
Most other gun laws are set at the state level, where policies vary widely.
Many Democratic-dominated states have tightened their laws in recent years.
Many Democratic-dominated states have tightened their laws in recent years.
California, for example, has banned military-style semi-automatic "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines and has the most robust "red flag" system, which allows authorities to take firearms away from people determined to be dangerous.
California, for example, has banned military-style semi-automatic "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines and has the most robust "red flag" system, which allows authorities to take firearms away from people determined to be dangerous.
The state also prohibits people from carrying loaded firearms in public -- a practice known as "open carry" -- and gun owners must get a permit before carrying a concealed loaded weapon.
The state also prohibits people from carrying loaded firearms in public -- a practice known as "open carry" -- and gun owners must get a permit before carrying a concealed loaded weapon.
Gun laws are much more permissive in rural states, including Idaho, Kentucky and Wyoming.
Gun laws are much more permissive in rural states, including Idaho, Kentucky and Wyoming.
Mississippi has the most permissive US laws, according to the Giffords Law Center, a gun-control group. Residents of that state do not need a permit to carry loaded weapons, whether openly or concealed, and sales of "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines are legal. Buyers do not face waiting periods and the state does not have a red-flag law.
Mississippi has the most permissive US laws, according to the Giffords Law Center, a gun-control group. Residents of that state do not need a permit to carry loaded weapons, whether openly or concealed, and sales of "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines are legal. Buyers do not face waiting periods and the state does not have a red-flag law.
Mississippi and 28 other states also have enacted "Stand Your Ground" laws that allow people to use deadly force when they feel threatened.
Mississippi and 28 other states also have enacted "Stand Your Ground" laws that allow people to use deadly force when they feel threatened.
WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE?
Americans aren't necessarily more violent than other cultures - but their disputes are more likely to turn deadly, expert say.
Americans aren't necessarily more violent than other cultures - but their disputes are more likely to turn deadly, expert say.
University of Iowa criminology professor Mark Berg found the rates of assault in the United States are similar to other countries, but homicide rates are higher due to the prevalence of guns.
University of Iowa criminology professor Mark Berg found the rates of assault in the United States are similar to other countries, but homicide rates are higher due to the prevalence of guns.
Firearms were a factor in 39,740 US deaths in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), similar to the number caused by motor-vehicle accidents. Suicides account for six out of 10 gun deaths.
Firearms were a factor in 39,740 US deaths in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), similar to the number caused by motor-vehicle accidents. Suicides account for six out of 10 gun deaths.
WILL GUN LAWS CHANGE?
Gun rights are one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Supporters see firearms as an important tool for self-defense, target shooting and hunting, as well as a powerful symbol of individual rights. Critics say America's permissive approach leads to tens of thousands of deaths each year.
Gun rights are one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Supporters see firearms as an important tool for self-defense, target shooting and hunting, as well as a powerful symbol of individual rights. Critics say America's permissive approach leads to tens of thousands of deaths each year.
High-profile mass shootings have increased public pressure to tighten regulations. Most Americans support tougher gun laws, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but Washington has done little to address the problem in recent years.
High-profile mass shootings have increased public pressure to tighten regulations. Most Americans support tougher gun laws, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but Washington has done little to address the problem in recent years.
One reason: Small, rural states where gun ownership is widespread have disproportionate influence in the US Senate, where a supermajority of 60 votes is needed to advance most legislation in the 100-seat chamber.
One reason: Small, rural states where gun ownership is widespread have disproportionate influence in the US Senate, where a supermajority of 60 votes is needed to advance most legislation in the 100-seat chamber.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation expanding background checks last month, but it faces long odds in the Senate, which is split 50-50 between the two parties.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation expanding background checks last month, but it faces long odds in the Senate, which is split 50-50 between the two parties.
With Congress deadlocked, presidents have acted on their own.
With Congress deadlocked, presidents have acted on their own.
After a 2018 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people, then-President Donald Trump banned "bump stocks" that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire at a rate similar to automatic ones.
After a 2018 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people, then-President Donald Trump banned "bump stocks" that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire at a rate similar to automatic ones.
But Trump, a Republican, also made it easier for people with mental illness to buy guns.
But Trump, a Republican, also made it easier for people with mental illness to buy guns.
Biden, a Democrat, aims to tighten regulations on self-assembled "ghost guns" that currently can be sold without serial numbers or background checks and to make it easier for states to adopt red-flag laws.
Biden, a Democrat, aims to tighten regulations on self-assembled "ghost guns" that currently can be sold without serial numbers or background checks and to make it easier for states to adopt red-flag laws.
CHANGING POLITICS?
The political landscape may be changing. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been one of the most influential gun rights lobbying groups in Washington for decades, but has been hobbled in recent years by infighting. The group recently filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to stave off a legal challenge in New York.
The political landscape may be changing. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been one of the most influential gun rights lobbying groups in Washington for decades, but has been hobbled in recent years by infighting. The group recently filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to stave off a legal challenge in New York.
The NRA gave $30 million to candidates in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections, down from $55 million in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The NRA gave $30 million to candidates in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections, down from $55 million in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action that back stronger restrictions have stepped up lobbying expenses over the past decade, though they still trail gun-rights groups as a whole.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action that back stronger restrictions have stepped up lobbying expenses over the past decade, though they still trail gun-rights groups as a whole.
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