‘Persistent but unconfirmed’ reports on PAMANA fund misuse — Lacson

Senator Panfilo Lacson disclosed on Wednesday having received “persistent but unconfirmed reports” on the alleged misuse of the PAMANA fund under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

PAMANA or the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program is the OPAPP’s development arm.

These alleged corruptions have prompted Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza to resign from his post.

READ: Dureza takes full responsibility for corruption at OPAPP

As subcommittee chair and sponsor of the OPAPP’s budget in the Senate, Lacson said they had been “receiving persistent but unconfirmed reports about the misuse of the PAMANA fund under the agency’s budget.”

“Although the implementation of projects under the program is with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and other partner agencies, it is in the choice of the LGU (local government units) beneficiaries that the project officer may exercise his discretion,” Lacson said in a text message.

“This is where cuts or commissions were being required from the LGU beneficiaries as reported,” he added.

Lacson said some local officials might have also reported these alleged corruption to President Rodrigo Duterte which resulted in the dismissal of two officials from the OPAPP.

“Having said that, there is no appropriations under the 2019 GAB (General Appropriation Bill) in my submission to the mother committee chair despite a plea from the OPAPP officials to augment the PAMANA projects with P30.216 billion appropriations which is a big leap from the P5.8B funding under the 2018 GAA (General Appropriations Act),” the senator said.

Asked to comment on Dureza’s resignation, Lacson said he would rather keep his opinion to himself.  /muf