Masbate governor tagged in pork barrel scam surrenders

Masbate governor and former solon Rizalina Seachon-Lanete. Screengrab from https://www.lpp.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines–Masbate governor and former solon Rizalina Seachon-Lanete surrendered to the police on Wednesday for her plunder charges over the pork barrel scam.

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) tweeted that the pork barrel scam suspect surrendered Wednesday night after the Sandiganbayan had issued a warrant of arrest.

“Masbate Governor RIZALINA SEACHON-LANETE surrendered last night after the Sandiganbayan issued a WOA against her for Plunder,” the CIDG tweeted.

Lanete 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. Principal whistleblower Benhur Luy in his ledger said 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.

In 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.

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