NBI summons several DBM execs over fake SAROs

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigation has summoned several officials of the Department of Budget and Management as the bureau investigates their possible involvement in the issuance of fake special allotment release orders (SAROs), Justice Secretary Leila De Lima told Inquirer Radio.

The NBI is tracking under what offices of the DBM the fake SAROs passed through before they reached the regions.

“It’s hard to believe that no one from the DBM is involved. Although of course I cannot yet make such a conclusive statement,” De Lima said.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said his office had asked the DBM to invalidate the P879-million SARO after the regional directors of the Department of Agriculture found that the signatures endorsing the release of the facility were fake.

De Lima said she was received copies of the original unreleased SAROs and the fake SAROs and noted that they looked almost the same.

“Even the date it was supposed to be released, the amount, the codes that only the DBM knows,” she said.

While she refused to disclose how many or how high among the DBM officials and employees could be  involved, De Lima said the NBI already summoned several people from the DBM.

“Some of them have already submitted their sworn statements,” she said.

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