Lawyers say DBM exec forced to sign SAROs

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyers for Budget Management Undersecretary for Operations Mario Relampagos on Thursday said that the official was forced to sign Special Allotment Release Orders for the projects under the non-government organizations of businesswoman Janet Napoles because the main signatory was absent.

During the hearing of the motion for reconsideration at the Sandiganbayan First Division, Relampagos' lawyers argued that the government official only signed five of the 12 SAROs because then Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya was not available when the signatures were needed.

Defense lawyers also furnished the photocopies of the seven SAROs signed by Andaya.

During the hearing, Relampagos' lawyers also argued that the Sub-Allotment Release Order (Sub-ARO) being alleged in the charges is not being prepared by the budget department but by the specific line agency.

After the oral arguments, the Court gave the prosecution five days to submit its opposition to the defense's motion for reconsideration.

Relampagos and three other employees of the Department of Budget and Management also have pending requests for the Court to hold separate trials for the graft cases.