Ex-Benguet solon facing fresh batch of ‘pork’ scam cases posts P530K bail

MANILA, Philippines — Former Benguet congressman Samuel Dangwa has posted a P530,000-bail for his temporary liberty from his pork barrel scam charges before the Sandiganbayan.

The former solon accused of raking in P26.7 million in kickbacks posted bail from his six counts of malversation, six counts of graft, and five counts of bribery.

The Ombudsman said Dangwa used his Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) for financial assistance, grants, livelihood projects for jewelry-making, aromatic candle making, wellness and massage, farm inputs/implements and other livelihood packages which never went to the intended beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the ex-solon’s co-accused chief-of-staff Erwin Dangwa has also posted a P430,000-bail for his temporary liberty for his malversation and graft charges.

The antigraft court’s Third Division has issued the Hold Departure Order against Dangwa and all his co-accused as they face the PDAF scam charges.

Dangwa is part of the second batch of PDAF-scam tainted lawmakers facing charges for purportedly pillaging public funds under the scheme of Janet Lim-Napoles. Former Masbate Representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and former APEC party-list Representative Edgar Valdez face plunder for allegedly raking in P108.405 mililon and P57.787 million in kickbacks, respectively. Meanwhile, facing malversation raps are former Agusan Del Sur Representative Rodolfo Plaza and former Cagayan De Oro Representative Constantino Jaraula.

The antigraft court is also hearing the plunder cases of detained senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.  Accused mastermind Napoles, who is facing multiple charges of plunder and graft, is detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

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