COA's Mendoza denies selective investigation in ‘pork’ scam

Outgoing Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza on Wednesday maintained that the state audit body had been fair in its investigation in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

“Ako, off hand, sinasabi ko na hindi kami naging selective. Lahat ng ano [involved] nandun yan sa report namin,” Mendoza said in a chance interview at the sidelines of the Philippine Data Summit 2015 event in Quezon City.

The COA Special Audit report on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of several lawmakers had been one of the main evidence of the Office of the Ombudsman in the filing of cases against several lawmakers before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

The COA Special Audit report released in 2013 covers the alleged misuse of PDAF of several lawmakers from 2007 to 2009.

Mendoza admitted that many lawmakers included in the COA report have yet to be charged before the Sandiganbayan or face investigation in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Mendoza, however, was quick to add that it is understandable, as the Ombudsman must gather more evidence before filing a case in court to ensure conviction of the respondent.

“Yung paggamit ng audit report for purposes of prosecution may pamamaraan kung paano mo ia-approach yung pag file mo ng case. Kailangan hinihimay mo talaga iyan (COA report). ‘Di yan puwede na panglahatan talaga,” Mendoza said.

Currently only Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada as well as five former congressmen had been charged before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam.

The trial proper of the cases against them have yet to start as the divisions of the Sandiganbayan are still resolving their respective bail petitions and several motions.

Big ones first

Estrada earlier slammed the administration for its “selective justice” saying that only opposition lawmakers or those who are critical of the administration had been slapped with the charges.

Mendoza countered that the prioritization of the cases against Enrile, Revilla and Estrada was in no way a form of selective justice but because of the magnitude of the anomaly they allegedly committed.

“Siyempre merong naha-highlight [sa investigation]. Bakit? E kung paulit-ulit ba naman yung transaction nila at at sila ang pinakamalalaki [ang amount involved] e talagang ma ha-highlight 'yan,” Mendoza said.

“Hindi maiiwasan na may lumutang [na personalities] doon [sa aming report] kasi meron talaga paulit ulit at may napakalalaki so kailangan mo unahin iyon,” Mendoza added.

Mendoza, meanwhile, said the public could expect more cases to be filed against several lawmakers in connection with the pork scam as the Ombudsman is still conducting several investigations in the anomaly.

“Meron palalabas siguro sa mga susunod pang imbestigasyon ng Ombudsman kasi marami yung kasama sa (COA) report,” Mendoza said.

Among those who are currently being investigated by the Ombudsman in connection with the pork scam are Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan III, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Joel Villanueva, Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing and Abono party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III.

Mendoza resigned from the COA early this month to serve as the undersecretary-general of the United Nations’ Internal Oversight Services department. —ALG, GMA News