Workphil Foundation not bogus NGO; denies link to Rep. Robes

A NON-GOVERNMENT organization on Monday denied allegations that they have been used as a conduit to funnel Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of a Bulacan lawmaker for “ghost” or non-existent projects.

In a statement, Workphil Foundation through Atty. Chrisgene A. Castillo said Workphil is neither a bogus foundation nor connected with San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Representative Arturo Robes and wife Rida.

“It is a foundation that was originally formed and established through the initiative of Bernadette (Ricalde), who personally and solely prepared, accomplished and facilitated the completion and submission of the incorporation requirements and documents of Workphil with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),” Castillo said.

Ricalde, a whistle-blower, submitted documents to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the alleged misuse of PDAF funds by Robes.

However, she reportedly wanted to take back the original documents due to loss of confidence in the NBI.

In her documents, Workphil as well as Sagip-Buhay People Support foundation allegedly were used to carry out the projects of Robes.

Workphil allegedly received P10-million.

But Castillo said according to the current Board of Trustee members including Michelle Imperial (now Tubierra) as well as the records left by Ricalde, “it is not true that an amount of P10-million was deposited to the account of Michelle.”

“As a matter of fact, when Bernadette left, the other trustees and officers of Workphil were surprised when they found out that, without their knowledge and consent, Bernadette falsified several documents, forged the signatures of the other officers of the foundation, and received funds that are intended for Workphil…,” Castillo said adding that they have filed a complaint for Falsification of Public Documents against Ricalde which is now pending before the Quezon City Prosecutors’ Office.

Robes is one of the 20 former and current lawmakers subject of an investigation by the NBI in connection with a P500-million pork barrel scam case that is separate from the P10-billion PDAF fund allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles. Tetch Torres-Tupas/AC