Ex-Nayong Pilipino execs charged with graft, indirect bribery over free Jeju trip

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has filed graft and indirect bribery charges against former Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc. (NPFI) chairman of the board Patricia Ocampo-Desiongco and five other ex-NPFI officials for accepting free transportation to and accommodation in Jeju Island, South Korea from a private firm during negotiations on a lease contract involving the same firm.

In a statement, Martires accused Desiongco and former board members Alicia Manuel, Rex Anthony Villegas, Caroline Lansang, Elizabeth Mercado and Efraim Perez of accepting free transportation by private jet to and from Jeju Island on top of free accommodations courtesy of Landing International Development Limited (LIDL) to attend the opening of the Shinwa Theme Park in South Korea.

“The free transportation via private jet and accommodations were extended by LIDL to the NPFI officials while negotiations for a lease contract were ongoing between the two entities,” Martires said.

Section 3(b) of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act states that “public officials are prohibited from directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the government wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.”

In addition, Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code provides that indirect bribery is committed by any public officer who shall accept gifts offered to him by reason of office.        

“The [criminal] Informations were filed before the Sandiganbayan,” Martires added.

President Rodrigo Duterte sacked the accused officials in August 2018 due to supposed corruption. — BM, GMA News