The Sandiganbayan has charged former Negros Oriental Rep. Herminio Teves and seven others with one count each of graft and malversation for the alleged misuse of the congressman’s P10-million pork barrel fund on a ghost project 11 years ago.
Teves allegedly diverted his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation to Molugan Foundation Inc. in February 2007 without the benefit of a public bidding and despite the organization being unaccredited and unqualified to take on the project.
The lawmaker, who previously claimed that his signature was forged, had endorsed Molugan to implement his livelihood program through the now-defunct state firm Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC).
Also indicted were Molugan president Samuel Bombeo Sr., Teves’ former chief of staff Hiram Diday Pulido and former TLRC officials director general Antonio Ortiz, deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, department manager Francisco Figura, chief accountant Marivic Jover and legislative liaison Belina Concepcion.
The officials allegedly processed the release of Teves’ P9.6-million PDAF. —Vince F. Nonato