Ex-Speaker Nograles, ex-agri chief face raps over alleged pork barrel misuse

MANILA, Philippines - Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles and ex-Agriculture Sectetary Arthur Yap are now facing graft charges in connection with the alleged misuse of their priority development assistance fund (PDAF). 

 

Aside from Nograles and Yap, investigators of the Office of the Ombudsman filed the cases against former Reps. Candido Pancrudo of Bukidnon and Thomas Dumpit Jr. for illegal disbursement of PDAF or pork barrel amounting to P163.2 million.

 

Nograles, who was then speaker, acted as caretaker of Misamis Oriental upon the death of Rep. Danilo Lagbas.

 

Included in the charge sheet for preliminary investigation are officials of the implementing agencies National Agri-Business Corporation, National Livelihood Development Corporation and the Technology Resource Center (formerly known as Technology and Livelihood Resource Center), and officials from non-government organizations Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc., Buhay Mo Mahal Ko Foundation, Gabay at Pag-asa ng Masa Foundation, Inc., Kasangga sa Magandang Bukas Foundation, Inc., Farmerbusiness Development Corporation, Uswag Pilipinas Foundation, Inc., and Aaron Foundation Philippines, Inc.

 

Investigation showed that from 2007 to 2009, Nograles handled Lagbas' pork barrel for alleged livelihood projects, amounting to P47.5 million. 

 

The amount, covered by five Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) released by the Department of Budget and Management, was given to the implementing agencies and coursed through the several NGOs.

 

However, upon verification by Ombudsman field investigators, the livelihood kits were not received by the intended beneficiaries.

 

Also facing criminal and administrative charges are Jennifer Karen Lagbas; former chief of Lagbas; and Chief Political Affairs Officer Danilo Jamito.  

 

The Ombudsman also asked the Sandiganbayan to issue preventive suspension order pending administrative adjudication against the respondents.

 

For the same period, Dumpit allegedly mishandled P66.5 million for livelihood projects, covered by six SAROs. 

 

Meanwhile, Pacrundo purportedly misused P49.2 million from his PDAF from 2007 to 2008.