DBM, TRC, NLDC execs suspended over ‘pork’ scam

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has issued another suspension order against officials and employees of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Technology Resource Center and National Livelihood Development Corporation, for their alleged involvement in the anomalous utilization of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former lawmaker Samuel Dangwa.

Ordered suspended for 90 days pending trial were Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule, Marilou Bare, Marivic Jover, Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, Belina Concepcion, Gondelina Amata, Gregoria Buenaventura, Chita Jalandoni, Sofia Cruz, Filipina Rodriguez and Ofelia Ordoñez.

The Office of the Ombudsman said the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the suspension order based on a motion of prosecutors that “the suspension under Section 13 of RA 3019 admits of no exceptions” and that “the impossibility of tampering with evidence and intimidating witnesses is not a ground for denial of the  preventive suspension.” 

They also argued that “the period of suspension by the other divisions of the anti-graft court pertains to cases separate and independent of the present case.”

Agreeing, the Sandiganbayan  said the claim that the suspension from work may deprive them of their only source of income cannot override the mandatory character of (the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The case against them and Dangwa arose from the former lawmaker’s alleged act of pocketing P42.1 million in alleged kickbacks from Janet Lim-Napoles or her bogus non-government organizations from 2004 to 2010.