Ex-Isabela solon charged over 'anomalous' PDAF use

The Office of the Ombudsman has formally filed multiple charges against former 4th District Isabela representative Anthony Miranda and seven others over the alleged anomalous use of the former's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2007.

Miranda was charged with two counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and malversation of public funds along with Technology Resource Center (TRC) officials Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Marivic Jover, Belina Concepcion, Francisco Figura and private individuals Domingo Mamauag and Edison Sabio.

Miranda was also charged with two counts of violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019.

In separate charge sheets filed before the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman said Miranda, in January and February 2007, allocated his PDAF to Aksyon Makamasa Foundation Inc., which he himself controlled and operated by Mamauag and Sabio, as "project partner" for the implementation of his livelihood projects in his district.

The total amount allocated was P20.06 million for both projects, the Ombudsman said.

These, however, were conducted without public bidding and AMFI being unaccredited to take the project.

The Ombudsman said the accused TRC officials helped in the disbursement of the PDAF to AMFI, thus allowing the non-governmental organization to "divert" them to Miranda's control.

The PDAF-funded projects were also found to be "non-existent," and Miranda, Sabio and Mamauag participated in the preparation and signing of documents "to conceal the fictitious nature of the transaction."

Section 3(e) of RA 3019 prohibits public officials from “causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

Meanwhile, Section 3(h) prohibits public officials from "directly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal gain, or having a material interest in any transaction or act requiring the approval of a board, panel or group of which he is a member, and which exercises discretion in such approval, even if he votes against the same or does not participate in the action of the board, committee, panel or group."

The Ombudsman has recommended a total of P140,000 bail each for Miranda and his co-respondents -- P30,000 for each count of violation of Section 3(e) and P40,000 for each count of malversation.

An additional P60,000 bail was recommended for Miranda for his other graft charge -- P30,000 for each count of violation of Section 3(h). —ALG, GMA News