Masbate Governor Lanete Surrenders to CIDG

(PNA) — A day after she was ordered arrested, Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete surrendered Wednesday evening to Chief CIDG Police Director Benjamin Magalong, Police Chief Inspector Elizabeth Degocena Jasmin, CIDG public information office chief said Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division issued an arrest warrant against Lanete over graft and plunder charges in connection with the alleged Php10-billion pork barrel scam.

Police Chief Inspector Elizabeth Degocena Jasmin, CIDG public information office chief, said Lanete surrendered around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Warrant of Arrest for Plunder (Violation of RA 7080) was issued against her by Associate Justice Jose Fernandez of the 4th Division of the Sandiganbayan.

Lanete is facing one count of plunder and 11 counts of graft for her alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

She is accused of pocketing Php108 million in kickbacks from her Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF).

The anti-graft court ordered her arrest after it found basis in the plunder and graft charges filed against her.

Also ordered arrested as Lanete’s co-accused in the 11 counts of graft were Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, DBM officials Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule and Marilou Bare, former Technology Resource Center (TRC) director Dennis Cunanan and National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) officials Allan Javellana, Rhodora Mendoza and Victor Roman Cacal.

Jasmin added that Lanete has undergone the process of mugshot, fingerprint, and medical/physical examinations and temporarily detained at NCRCIDU (National Capital Region Criminal Investigation Detention unit) prior to the return of the warrant of arrest and the issuance of commitment order. (PNA) FPV/CLTC/Antonette B. Tagnipez/Mariane Clarize V. Noriega (OJT) /PJN