Devanadera charged with graft

Criminal charges have been filed against former Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera in the Sandiganbayan stemming from the unlawful grant of allowances for herself and her staff in 2007 during her term as head of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro said Devanadera was facing four counts of graft and four counts of malversation of public funds.

Also charged were assistant government corporate counsel Jose Mari Capili, former accountant Divina Gracia F. Cruz and former head executive assistant Rolando B. Faller.

The Ombudsman ordered them to pay the OGCC Trust Liability Account P760,000.

According to the Ombudsman, Devanadera and her codefendants conspired to give themselves allowances even if they were not entitled to it.

Reached for comment, Devanadera said the money she received was in line with government regulations and audited by the Commission on Audit.

“It was all regular and normal,” she said.

“Where is the crime? I’m going to file a motion for reconsideration,” she said.