Supporters slam raps vs ex-Mindoro lawmaker

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines — Supporters of former Oriental Mindoro governor and first district congressman Rodolfo Valencia decried a news report that the Sandiganbayan will proceed with the trial of the graft and malversation charges filed against him in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel.

King Alfred Corona II, Valencia’s staff, noted that the former congressman executed a sworn statement denying his purported signatures appearing on the documents pertaining to the projects allegedly implemented by the Masaganang Ani para sa Magsasaka Foundation (MAMFI).

This was after the Commission on Audit asked him to confirm if the signatures that appeared in 16 documents were his.

MAMFI was among the bogus non-government organizations allegedly set up by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the accused brains of the pork barrel scam.

Valencia’s constituents expressed concern that despite the admission of Napoles’ employees Benhur Luy, Merlina Suñas and Marina Sula that they forged the signatures on the liquidation documents of the PDAFs of lawmakers, including Valencia, a graft case was still filed against the former Oriental Mindoro congressman.

The Celia Cuasay mentioned by Luy to whom he gave kickbacks supposedly intended for Valencia was not in any way connected to the office of the former lawmaker, his supporters said.

They also cited Luy’s testimony that Valencia did not sign any receipt for alleged kickback transactions.