NBI waits for DOJ signal, defers filing of 3rd batch of pork cases

By: Nancy C. Carvajal - 10 years ago

The National Bureau of Investigation deferred the filing of the complaint against the third batch of lawmakers (including, from left inset, Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva and Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing 9fifth district]) named as respondents for alleged misuse of their pork barrel from 2007 to 2009. FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines–The National Bureau of Investigation deferred the filing of the complaint against the third batch of lawmakers named as respondents for alleged misuse of their pork barrel from 2007 to 2009.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima last week announced that the filing of the third batch was scheduled for this week.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez said the bureau was still waiting for instructions from De Lima when to file the complaints against at least 10 current and former lawmakers.

The charges will be the third batch of cases to be brought by the government against Janet Lim-Napoles, lawmakers and government officials who allegedly pocketed millions of pesos in public funds intended for rural development.

Mendez declined to confirm the information of an Inquirer source that the NBI would file malversation charges against Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Director General Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega (first district), former La Union Rep. Manuel Ortega, former Zamboanga Rep. Isidoro Real Jr., Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing (fifth district), Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (second district), Abono Rep. Conrado Estrella III and former Abono Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella.

The source also said the NBI would also file charges against Napoles, alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam.

Also on the charge sheet is Napoles’ older brother Valentin Limchu, who allegedly facilitated the Honasan transaction with Michael Benjamin, the senator’s chief political officer.

Limchu is the “VLL” in the Benhur Luy files published by the Inquirer in a series of reports last month.

Luy, a relative and former aide of Napoles, is the principal whistle-blower in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

According to the source, Honasan will be accused of authorizing the release of P15 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation to a foundation controlled by Napoles, the Agriculture and Economic Program for Farmers Foundation, for various livelihood projects to be implemented by the National Livelihood Development Corp.

Also to be charged will be Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Zenaida Ducut, Celia Cuasay, Maite Defensor, Anthony Dequiña and Manuel Harmin.

Official records from the Department of Budget, a Commission on Audit (COA) special audit report, documents from the implementing agencies and the financial records of Luy form part of the evidence to be submitted to the Ombudsman against the respondents, the source said.

The Inquirer source added that as in the first two batches of cases, the third batch would also use as evidence the testimonies and documentary evidence submitted by the whistle-blowers led by Luy, Marina Sula and Merlina Suñas.