OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales directed on Monday Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to implement another dismissal order against officials of the National Agribusiness Corp. for their reported involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.
She said the respondents could no longer be reemployed in any government agency. Those ordered dismissed were Victor Roman Cacal, Romulo Relevo, Gondelina Amata, Chita Jalandoni, Emmanuel Sevidal, Ofelia Ordoñez, Filipina Rodriguez, Sofia Cruz and Gregoria Buenaventura.
Cacal and company were again found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The case stemmed from the fraudulent spending of the P27.5-million Priority Development Assistant Fund of then Agusan del Sur representative Rodolfo Plaza in 2008 to 2009.
Morales ordered the respondents’ perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service, and were meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
In a 54-page decision, Morales rejected the respondents’ claim of lengthy government service, saying that “respondents’ dedication and outstanding service to the government should not be cited as a circumstance that deserves public gratitude considering that the level of service which is expected from every public servant is no less that exemplary service.”
“Public office is a public trust and public officers must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.
“Based on field investigation and documentary evidence, Plaza channeled his P27.5-million pork barrel fund through the “Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka” and Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation Inc. “both controlled by Janet Lim Napoles,” the alleged pork fund scam mastermind.
“Plaza’s PDAF was used to fund ‘ghost projects’ consisting of alleged livelihood and agricultural production kits,” the Ombudsman said.
Court records of whistleblower Benhur Luy showed Plaza supposedly received commissions of P42.1 million from his PDAF-funded projects from 2004 to 2010 “with payoffs usually taking place at the JLN office in Ortigas or in Plaza’s house in Alabang Hills.”
“The funds in question could not have been transferred to these non-government organizations if not for [their] certifications, approvals, and signatures found in the corresponding disbursement vouchers and checks,” the Ombudsman’s resolution read.
Cacal and the rest of the respondents are facing multiple charges for the other pork barrel fund scam cases. They, along with Plaza, stand trial before the Sandiganbayan for five counts of malversation andgraft cases.and Jaime Soledad following the dismissal of their cases.
The following are the remaining NPA leaders—including the charges against them—that the communists want released:
• NPA Southern Tagalog leader Tirso Alcantara, (multiple murder, robbery, kidnapping and rebellion)
• CPP central committee member Alan Jazmines, (rebellion and murder)
• Emeterio Antalan (murder, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms)
• Edwin Brigano, a ranking NPA leader in Davao City (robbery and homicide)
The following are the remaining NPA leaders—including the charges against them—that the communists want released:
• NPA Southern Tagalog leader Tirso Alcantara, (multiple murder, robbery, kidnapping and rebellion)
• CPP central committee member Alan Jazmines, (rebellion and murder)
• Emeterio Antalan (murder, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms)
• Edwin Brigano, a ranking NPA leader in Davao City (robbery and homicide)