The Philippine Online Chronicles

A group of state workers filed graft charges against presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel 'Mikey' Arroyo before the Office of the Ombudsman for failing to disclose a US property in his statement of assets and liabilities net worth (SALN), according to businessworld.com.ph.

The complaint-affidavit filed by the Confederation for the Unity, Advancement and Recognition of Government Employees (COURAGE) asked the anti-graft body to conduct a motu propio investigation on Arroyo for alleged ill-gotten wealth,” abs-cbnnews.com stated.

“Courage asked the Ombudsman to compel Arroyo to explain how his networth "suddenly ballooned to a staggering P61.8 million in 2005" from zero in his first year in public office.”

The group said in their complaint that Arroyo's public admission that he accepted wedding gifts and cash donations for his campaign violated of Article XI, Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code and certain provisions of Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, and RA 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Courage president Ferdie Gaite also said that Arroyo has yet to give a "satisfactory explanation" on how he acquired all his wealth.

“While government employees religiously filed in their SALN the last centavo of their properties, a simple discrepancy or even oversight could lead to an immediate investigation or in some cases the conduct of a lifestyle check. A case of perjury or even graft because of unexplained wealth could be an instant remedy,” Courage said in its complaint.

Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni said they are already looking into matter.

Meanwhile, radio reports aired that Rep. Arroyo welcomed the case and thanked the Courage for "bringing the case to the proper forum.”