TRC execs again convicted of graft over pork barrel case

Inquirer photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has found two former executives of the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC) guilty of graft and malversation of public funds for the unlawful transfer of around P20 million worth of pork barrel to three nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 2007.

Dennis Cunanan, who served as TRC deputy director general, was convicted on all four counts each of graft and malversation, while Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, the agency’s program manager, was convicted on three counts each of graft and malversation.

READ: SC orders Sandiganbayan to reopen P660 million graft case

Also convicted was Rolleo Ignacio, the executive director of Dr. Rodolfo A. Ignacio Sr. Foundation, Inc. (DRAISFI), one of the three NGOs tapped by TRC to carry out the proposed livelihood projects under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Manila Rep. Joey Hizon.

Hizon supposedly endorsed DRAISFI and another NGO, Magpakailanman Foundation Inc. (KMFI), to receive P5 million as project implementers.

The other NGO, Kabalikat sa Kalusugan at Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (KKKFI), received a much bigger funding at P10 million.

According to the Aug. 8 decision by the antigraft court’s Second Division, the three NGOs did not go through proper accreditation required under Commission on Audit rules and the three NGOs did not implement the projects although they received the funds.

The Sandiganbayan pointed to Cunanan as the facilitator of the illegal transfer of Hizon’s PDAF by signing the disbursement vouchers.