Top DOJ prosecutor named to handle plunder raps vs 3 ex-AFP chiefs, 14 others

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima announced Tuesday she has designated the highest ranking prosecutor to lead the conduct of preliminary investigation on the plunder complaint filed by former military budget officer Colonel George Rabusa against three former Armed Forces Chief and 14 others in relation to the AFP fund scandal.

At a press conference, De Lima said that while she has yet to issue a memorandum order, she has already informed Prosecutor General Claro Arellano that he would lead the three-man panel that will handle the case.

De Lima said she has yet to assign the two other members of the Arellano panel.

The Prosecutor General is the head of the National Prosecution Service. He also heads the board that screens appointments and promotions of prosecutors. He has the same rank as that of the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals.

The main respondents in Rabusa’s plunder case are former AFP chiefs Efren Abu, Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu; and comptrollers Jacinto Ligot and Carlos Garcia.

Other respondents include retired Maj. Gen.  Hilario Atendido, Brig. Gen. Benito de Leon, Colonels Tomas Donato and Roy Devesa, Major Emerson Angulo,  retired Lt. Col. Ernesto Paranis, Capt. Kenneth Paglinawan, Col. Gilbert Gapay, Col. Roberto Arevalo, retired Maj. Gen. Epineto Logico, and Commission on Audit officers Generoso del Castillo and Divina Cabrera.

Rabusa earlier revealed that retired AFP Chiefs of Staff Angelo Reyes received a regular P5-million payoff in his 20 months in office and was gifted with some P50-milion as send off money on his retirement while Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu each received P10-million as start up fund.