Presidential environment adviser Acosta suspended for 90 days

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan has placed presidential adviser on environmental protection and Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Nereus Acosta under preventive suspension for 90 days for the alleged misuse of his “pork barrel” funds while he was still a legislator.

In a decision issued on Feb. 1, the antigraft court’s fourth division said Acosta should “cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising function, duties, and privileges” as presidential adviser and general manager of the LLDA.

Reached for comment, Acosta said he would follow the Sandiganbayan decision.

“I will submit and follow the law,” he added.

Acosta also said he would rather step down temporarily than drag the LLDA and the Office of the President into his legal mess.

The LLDA chief is a member of the ruling Liberal Party chaired by President Aquino. He lost in the senatorial race in 2010.

The Sandiganbayan ordered Acosta’s suspension for 90 days pending the resolution of the case filed against him by an antigraft group called Bukidnon Crusade Against Graft and Corruption.

The group accused Acosta of misusing a total of P5 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” in 2000 and 2001 when he was then representative of Bukidnon in Congress.

According to the group, Acosta funneled his pork barrel funds to projects where his family members occupied key leadership positions.

These include Acosta’s solar tunnel dryer project in the town of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Also indicted in the case are his mother, Socorro, the town’s former mayor and his aunt Ma. Nemia Bornidor.

They are accused of violating the antigraft law in connection with the release of P2.5 million in financial assistance from Acosta’s PDAF to the Bukidnon Integrated Network of Home Industries Inc. (Binhi), a nongovernment organization.

Binhi was allegedly given unwarranted benefits in the transaction. Bornidor was Binhi’s project coordinator. She also said she was his former chief political affairs officer.

The transaction took place in 2001 when Acosta was representing Bukidnon in Congress.

Bornidor had offered to testify against Acosta in the graft case which they are both facing.