Local execs deny receiving agri kits, livelihood projects allegedly funded by Bong Revilla's PDAF

Two municipal mayors on Thursday denied signing documents proving receipt of agricultural kits and livelihood projects allegedly funded by the pork barrel of detained former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. from 2007 to 2009.

Former Mapaldan, Pangsasinan Mayor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. and incumbent Tumauini, Isabela Mayor Arnold Bautista testified as prosecution witnesses during the day's hearing on Revilla's plunder case.

The two told the Sandiganbayan First Division that their signatures were forged in delivery reports, certificates of acceptance, and acknowledgement receipts.

"The signature appearing above my name is not my signature," Calimlim said during the trial, referring to a delivery report from the Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI).

When asked by Associate Justices Efren Dela Cruz and Geraldine Faith Econg if he knew someone who could have signed the report and if he sent someone to sign on his behalf, respectively, Calimlim, now vice governor of Pangasinan, said, "No."

He then said he submitted a special power of attorney, a certificate from the National Statistics Office, and a certificate of death of his father to prove his signatures were forged.

Revilla is facing plunder and graft charges for allegedly pocketing P224.5 million in kickbacks after channeling his pork barrel, or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations, to the bogus non-government organizations of detained businesswoman and alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

In the cross examination by Napoles lawyer Dennis Buenaventura, Calimlim was asked on the similarities between the authentic and forged signatures, particularly on the round portion of the inscription.

"It's round but it's not mine. I can't say it's similar because it's not mine," Calimlim replied. "Madali naman mag-round."

He nonetheless admitted, in the cross examination by lead Revilla counsel Estelito Mendoza, that he only learned about PSDFI during his interview with Ombudsman investigators. He said he had no personal knowledge of the NGO.

Meanwhile, Bautista denied signing any documents proving that PSDFI delivered agricultural starter kits and livelihood projects worth P4.8 million.

"This is not my signature," Bautista said on the certificate of acceptance and delivery report shown to him by the prosecution.

He said he submitted a letter to then-Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano and a copy of a municipal resolution to show that his signatures were faked.

Non-delivery of products

Meanwhile, then-Piat, Cagayan Mayor Leonel Guzman said the municipality never received any agricultural products and power sprayers worth P3.9 million from Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc.

The certificates of acceptance were allegedly signed by Revilla's former chief of staff, lawyer Richard Cambe, a co-accused in the case.

Guzman, incumbent vice mayor of the same town, said he sought the help of the municipal agriculturist to verify the non-receipt of the materials.

Cambe, in his cross examination, elicited laughter in the courtroom as he presented himself to Guzman.

"By the way I am Attorney Richard Cambe," he said. "Do you know me personally?"

"I'm not familiar, but you look like the guy from the other municipality," Guzman replied.

No proof of Revilla hand

During the course of the proceedings, Mendoza often reiterated his earlier objection that the testimony of the witnesses had no reference that Revilla's PDAF was involved in the case.

"I would like to explicitly manifest that we do not waive our objection that there is no reference regarding the PDAF of Senator Revilla," Mendoza said.

He added that the documents also did not bear Revilla's name, saying the testimonies and interviews conducted by investigators were made on the wrong premise.

"I draw attention to the fact that Revilla's name was not here [in the documents]... These interviews were made on the wrong premise. This is derogatory for Senator Revilla," Mendoza said. —KBK, GMA News