Nayong Pilipino whistle-blower claims Board misused P1.2B in rental fees

The Nayong Pilipino Foundation board of trustees misused around P1.2 billion in rental fees by diverting the money to fund maintenance and other operating expenses of the government-owned corporation, board member Maria Fema Duterte claimed on Friday.

A distant relative of President Rodrigo Duterte, Maria Fema said in an interview that the amount represents the advance payment of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City and should have been used to develop NPF’s resort-casino dubbed as NayonLanding.

“Marami talaga silang irregularities na ginagawa. ‘Yung malversation of funds, may P1.2 billion na advance rental ng Resorts World ay gagamitin sa pag-develop nung gina-groundbreaking (NayonLanding) pero ginagamit nila sa ibang paraan. Ginawa nilang maintenance ... anumang gastusin,” she said in an interview on ANC.

Maria Fema bared the allegedly disadvantageous lease deal entered into by the NPF with Hong Kong-based Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. involving foundation’s 9.57-hectare property in Parañaque City.

She filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against NPF chairperson Patricia Yvette Ocampo and other board members in relation to the lease agreement.

Maria Fema alleged that the government stands to lose P517 million a year or a total of P25.85 billion from the 50-year deal.

Her exposé prompted the President to fire all members of the NPF board and order the Department of Justice to review the agreement.

A report from the Commission on Audit also said the foundation failed to prove that it conducted an independent appraisal of the property. 

Maria Fema said she found other irregularities at the NPF during her stint, including lack of plantilla positions, purchases of extravagant supplies, and paying the driver of board members using NPF funds.

“Hindi ko kasi akalain na pagpasok ko ‘yun ang kahinatnan ko. Expectation ko na maganda ang flow, may plano ka na maganda, harmonious kayo. ‘Di ko akalain na ganito ang nangyayari. Pero no regrets. At least ginagampanan ko ang trabaho ko, preserved ang Nayong Pilipino, pera ng Nayong Pilipinas, pera ng Pilipinas,” she said.

“Wala silang plantilla positions. Up to this time walang accountant. Ano tawag doon? Wala kang fini-fill na plantilla positions. Kayo-kayo lang dyan, kuha lang kayo ng kuha ng tao. May driver ka doon mo pinasahod, kung ano-ano binibili niyo. Magbili kayo ng mga laptop, mga extravagant which is ‘di naman ‘yun proper,” she added. — MDM/VDS/NB, GMA News

(NOTE: This article has been updated to correct the social media thumbnail, which previously showed names of board members who resigned in March and August 2017. We regret the error.)