Alcala mum, to await ‘official copies’ of plunder charges

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said he would remain silent on the latest plunder charges that were filed against him at the Office of the Ombudsman until he receives the “official” papers.

“I will remain silent on the issue beacause I still don’t have the official copies of the documents from the Ombudsman,” Alcala told INQUIRER.net Friday when sought for his reaction on the case filed by lawyer Argee Guevarra.

Guevarra claims that the agriculture secretary and Honesto Baniqued, president of the National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor), amassed P1.07 billion in ill-gotten wealth.

Guevarra filed an 18-page criminal and administrative against Alcala and Baniqued for plunder, violation of the Anti-Graft Law, malversation of public funds and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Alcala said that he needed to see the official documents from the Office of the Ombudsman before reacting to the case to confirm if the case was official or just allegations from Guevarra.

“As of now, I would not give any comments regarding the cases or until I receive the papers, I’m not even sure if the papers are fabicated or not.”

Alcala has been charged with plunder previously over his alleged involvement in the Priority Development Assitance Fund scam and for the overpriced rice imports from Vietnam after the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

These were filed on Oct. 2, 2013 and Dec.16, 2013 respectively.
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