DOJ Files 3rd Batch of PDAF Raps

(PNA) — Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima said on Friday the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed before the Office of the Ombudsman the third batch of cases involving the alleged misuse of priority development assistance fund (PDAF) against a senator, eight incumbent and former members of the House of Representatives and 40 other individuals.

De Lima said the NBI found sufficient evidence for the referral to the Ombudsman of the cases for malversation, direct bribery, and graft and corrupt practices against the following:

* Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II – PhP 1.75 million.

* Manila 5th District Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing – PhP 600,000.

* Former Pangasinan 6th District and incumbent Abono Party-List Rep. Conrado M. Estrella III – PhP 45.03 million.

* Former Abono Party-List Rep. Robert Raymund M. Estrella – PhP 22.675 million.

* Former La Union 1st District Rep. Manuel C. Ortega – PhP 14.35 million.

* Former La Union 1st District Rep. Victor Francisco C. Ortega – PhP 9.58 million.

* Former Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Rep. Isidro E. Real Jr. – PhP 3.25 million.

* Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez – PhP 2.099 million.

* Former CIBAC Party-List Rep. and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva – PhP 2.33 million.

Also impleaded are Janet Lim Napoles, the lawmakers’ representatives, the heads and other officials of three implementing agencies and two presidents of the Napoles non-government organizations (NGOs) used by the nine lawmakers to divert their PDAF allocations, Secretary De Lima said.

Napoles is the owner of JLN Group of Companies and the alleged “brains” behind the PhP 10-billion pork barrel and the PhP 900-million Malampaya Fund scams.

Among others, the representatives of the lawmakers charged along with their superiors/principals are Michael L. Benjamin, Anthony Dequina, Valentino Limchu, Manuel Jarmin, all representatives of Honasan. (PNA) SCS/PTR