Masbate guv in PDAF scam surrenders to police

MANILA, Philippines - Masbate Governor Rizalina Lanete on Wednesday night surrendered to the authorities after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against her in connection with the alleged misuse of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) amounting to P112.29 million.

Lanete turned herself to Director Benjaming Magalong, chief of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at around 8:30 p.m.

She then underwent the booking procedure including a physical and medical examination, and the taking of her mugshots and fingerprints.

The 4th Division of the anti-graft court ordered Lanete's arrest after it found probable cause to try the plunder and graft case against her in connection with the misuse of her pork barrel when she was still a congressional district representive from 2007 up to 2009.

The complaint alleged that Lanete received kickbacks from the projects implemented by the bogus non-government organizations of businesswoman Janet Napoles.

Napoles, now detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, is the alleged brains behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam.