Sandiganbayan allows GMA co-accused to undergo eye surgery

A detained co-accused of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been granted by the Sandiganbayan First Division to undergo another eye surgery.

In its resolution, the graft court allowed former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) budget and accounts manager Benigno Aguas, who is currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, to have a six-day furlough to undergo a repeat eye operation at St. Luke’s Medical Hospital in Quezon City from 9 a.m. of Sept. 22 up to 5 p.m. of Sept. 27.

Aguas is among those charged with Arroyo for plunder over allegations that 365,997,915 were diverted from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Confidential Intelligence Fund (CIF) from 2008 to 2010.

In granting the request, the graft court directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to transport and escort Aguas to St. Luke’s on the specified dates.