Ombudsman affirms filing of raps vs. ex-Malabon solon

The Office of the Ombudsman has affirmed the filing of criminal charges against former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Alvin Sandoval in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

In a 12-page joint order, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales denied the respective motions for reconsideration of Sandoval and his nine co-accused.

Instead, the Ombudsman affirmed its July 2015 ruling finding probable cause to charge Sandoval and the other respondents before the Sandiganbayan with three counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and another three counts of malversation of public funds as defined under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Ordered to be charged as Sandoval’s co-respondents were former Technology Resource Center (TRC) officials namely; former director general Antonio Ortiz, former deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, former group manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, former chief accountant Marivic Jover and former budget officer Consuelo Lilian Espiritu.

Also ordered to be charged with the same offenses were four private individuals namely; Dr. Rodolfo A. Ignacio Sr. Foundation, Inc (DRAISFI) director Rolleo Ignacio, Pangkabuhayan Foundation, Inc. (PFI) president Petronila Balmaceda and secretary Fernando Balmaceda, and Jacinto Caster Borja Foundation Inc.(JCBFI) president Roberto Agana.

Based on the Ombudsman’s investigation, Sandoval misused P30 million worth of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel for 2007 to 2009 by allocating it to supposed fake foundations DRAISFI (P5 million), PFI (P5 million) and JCBFI (P20 million) for the supposed implementation of agricultural and livelihood projects which turned out to be “non-existent.”

The Ombudsman said the barangay captains and city agriculturists interviewed by its field investigators have all denied the conduct of any livelihood skills trainings in their jurisdictions as well as the receipt of any livelihood and agricultural kits or materials.

The Ombudsman said even the list of beneficiaries for Sandoval’s PDAF-funded projects was “spurious and that “the claims for disbursements/payments were supported with falsified documents.”

The Ombudsman said investigation also revealed that the named suppliers for the projects were non-existent while some had no business permits.

In sustaining the finding of probable cause, Morales reiterated that Sandoval, as the then representative of the lone district of Malabon-Navotas, exercised full control and custody over his PDAF.

Morales said this allows him, “whether directly or through his or her staff, to participate in the release of the subject funds and in the implementation of PDAF projects.”

Malabon City and Navotas municipality used to be one legislative district from 1987 to 2010 before it was divided into separate legislative districts when Navotas became a city under Republic Act 9387. — KG/RSJ, GMA News