Masbate governor tagged in pork barrel scam ordered arrested
MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has ordered the arrest of former Representative now Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete for plunder and graft over the pork barrel scam.
The court released the arrest warrant against the former legislator facing plunder, a non-bailable offense, after it found probable cause against the accused based on the complaint filed by the Ombudsman.
“The Court finds probable cause to hold the accused herein for trial for the crime of plunder… Wherefore… let a warrant of arrest be issued…” the court’s resolution read.
Also ordered arrested for plunder are alleged mastermind Janet-Lim Napoles, who is already detained for multiple charges for plunder with Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile; as well as Napoles’ employee John Raymund De Asis.
She is accused of pocketing P108.405 million allegedly siphoned from her Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) from 2004 to 2010.
In its complaint, the Ombudsman said Lanete misused P112.29 million of PDAF from 2007 to 2009.
Article continues after this advertisementBased on whistleblower Benhur Luy’s ledger, Lanete from 2004 to 2010 received P108.405 million in kickbacks, of which P73.065 million were siphoned from Lanete’s PDAF from 2007 to 2009.
Article continues after this advertisementIn its indictment, the Ombudsman said “Lanete continuously endorsed the implementation of her PDAF-funded livelihood and agricultural projects to questionable NGOs associated with or controlled by Napoles.”
“(Lanete’s) P112.29 million PDAF was anomalously used for livelihood projects, financial assistance to farmers, farm inputs and farm implements, skills training and distribution of livelihood kits in nail care, wellness, massage and candle- making. Several Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) were entered into between Lanete, (Technology Resource Center), National Agribusiness Corp) and the NGO-partners,” the Ombudsman said.
Also ordered arrested are Lanete’s 28 other co-accused this time for graft, a bailable offense.
Meanwhile, the arrest warrant for plunder and graft against Lanete’s chief of staff Jose Sumalpong was deferred after he filed a motion to defer the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Lanete is part of the second batch of lawmakers facing charges for purportedly pillaging public funds. APEC Rep. Edgar Valdez faces plunder for allegedly raking in P57.787 million in kickbacks. Meanwhile, facing malversation raps are former Agusan Del Sur. Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa, and Cagayan De Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula.
The antigraft court is also hearing the plunder cases of detained senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.
Also ordered arrested were Lanete’s 28 other co-accused this time for graft, a bailable offense:
Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos and his staff Rosario Nunez, Lalaine Paule, Marilou Bare; former directors-general of the Technology Resource Center (TRC) Antonio Ortiz and Dennis Cunanan; Allan Javellana, former president of National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor); Gondelina Amata, president of the National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC);
TRC employees Marivic Jover, Francisco Figura, Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, and Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana; NLDC employees Emmanuel Sevidal, Sofia Cruz, Chita Jalandoni, Gregoria Buenaventura, and Ofelia Ordonez; Nabcor employees Rhodora Mendoza, Victor Cacal, Maria Ninez Guanizo, Maria Julie Villarolvo-Johnson, and Romulo Relevo; and other individuals Mylene Encarnacion, Eulogio Rodriguez, Evelyn De Leon, Jeaneth Dela Cruz, Henry Soliman, and Filipina Rodriguez.
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