Alcala charged for accrediting aide’s foundation in project

Proceso Alcala Jr., the agriculture secretary of former President Benigno Aquino III, has been charged in the Sandiganbayan for accrediting a nongovernment organization that turned out to be incorporated by his executive assistant.

Ombudsman prosecutors charged Alcala, as well as his head executive assistant Laureano Arnulfo Mañalac, and Isa Akong Magsasaka Foundation Inc. president Bautista Ella, with one count of graft each in connection with the irregularity that took place in September 2012.

Project partner

The Department of Agriculture tapped the foundation as a partner for the P13.5-million Quezon Corn Trading and Processing Center project.

Prosecutors alleged that unauthenticated articles of incorporation were submitted in the foundation’s registration, in order to conceal Mañalac’s involvement as an incorporator.

Alcala was also accused of “failing to investigate the grant of public funds to the foundation.”

Mañalac was also charged with two counts each of perjury and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

These criminal charges involved his failure to declare his business interest in the foundation in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth when he joined the government in July 2010. —VINCE F. NONATO