“The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the prosecution of former Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, four of his department’s officials and 36 others for allegedly diverting P200 million in funds meant for farmers to nongovernment organizations (NGOs) controlled by Janet Lim-Napoles. The charges that the 41 officials face are violation of the Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act and estafa through falsification of public documents, according to the case filed by prosecution officer Ryan Medrano and approved on Sept. 11 by Maria Olivia Elena A. Roxas, director of the General Investigation Bureau. Named in the charge sheet aside from Pangandaman were his aides in the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)—Undersecretary Narciso Nieto, Director Teresita Panlilio, Budget Officer Ronald Venancio and Cashier Nilda Baui. The four are still with the department. Also recommended for prosecution were Angelita Cacanta, former DAR chief accountant, lawyer Editha Talaboc, Delfin Agcaoili Jr., Mark Oliveros, Lucita Solomon, Wilberto de Guzman, Mercedes Lindo, Margarita Guadinez, Gina Pascual, Noel Macha, Nemesio Pablo, Jun Damasco, Lorenz Suñas, Jocelyn Piorato, Hernanie Ditchon, Wanny Plaza, Aljerome Benito, Jeff Afuang, Jojo Flores, Ireneo Perrater, Mae-anne Kilapkilap, Jose Flores, Rose Guinto, Renato Ornopia, Theresita Samson, Mylene Encarnacion, Roman Briones and John Raymond Asis. Former Napoles employees Benhur Luy, Merlina Suñas and Marina Sula were among those recommended for prosecution, obviously to be released later to turn state witnesses. They were the principal whistle-blowers against Napoles in her plunder cases involving the P10-billion pork barrel scam and the P900-million heist involving the Malampaya Fund. A respondent in the Malampaya Fund case, in which Napoles allegedly hijacked funds meant for victims of Tropical Storms ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng,’ is former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative who is under hospital arrest. Most of the accused in the P200-million DAR racket uncovered from 2007 and 2008 were likewise named in the plunder charges filed on Oct. 3 in connection with the Malampaya case.” Inquirer, 10/23/13
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 00:22:00 +0000
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