Biazon pleads not guilty in PDAF scam case

MANILA, Philippines – Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano “Ruffy” Biazon pleaded not guilty yesterday during his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Biazon is on trial for graft, malversation of public funds and direct bribery before the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division, chaired by Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo, for the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel during his term as Muntinlupa representative in 2007.

His co-accused former Department of Budget and Management undersecretary Mario Relampagos, former DBM budget and management specialist Rosario Nuñez and former DBM administrative assistants Marilou Bare and Lalaine Paule also pleaded not guilty.

Former Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Zenaida Ducut, who allegedly acted as Biazon’s collector for kickbacks and commissions, and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles were earlier arraigned and entered not guilty pleas.

Biazon said he does not see the case affecting his performance in Congress. After serving as Bureau of Immigration chief, he was elected again as Muntinlupa representative last May.

The Sandiganbayan earlier affirmed its finding of probable cause in the case against Biazon for the alleged misuse of PDAF.

 The Seventh Division junked the lawmaker’s motion for reconsideration of its June 23 decision that found sufficient basis for the graft and malversation of public funds cases to proceed to trial.