Ombudsman affirms ‘pork’ raps vs 5 former lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman upheld yesterday a finding of probable cause to charge with plunder five former lawmakers before the Sandiganbayan.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales denied the motions for reconsideration of former lawmakers   Rizalina Seachon-Lañete, Rodolfo Plaza, Samuel Dangwa, Constantino Jaraula and Edgar Valdez.

The case involves the alleged misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) totaling P339 million.

Criminal charges will also be filed against Janet Lim-Napoles, Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officials Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule and Marilou Bare.

Their co-accused are Technology Resource Center (TRC) director general Antonio Ortiz, deputy director general Dennis Cunanan and others; National Agri-Business Corp. (NABCOR) president Alan Javellana and others; National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC) president Gondelina Amata and others; and a number of officers/representatives of the non-government organizations Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation (CARED), Masaganang Ani para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (MAMFI), Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI) and the Social Development Program for Farmer Foundation, Inc. (SDPFFI).

Plaza, Dangwa and Jaraula face charges of malversation, direct bribery and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The criminal complaints against NGO incorporators Aileen Palama, Noel Macha, Renato Ornopia, Lorna Ramirez, Gabby Saquing, Margarita Guadines, Aljerome Benito, Jesus Castillo, Theresita Samson and Annie Tan were dismissed in view of newly discovered evidence consisting of the sworn statement submitted by the Field Investigation Office stating that these individuals had no knowledge that their names and signatures were used in incorporating the so-called JLN NGOs.