Ombudsman sacks Masbate governor over pork barrel misuse

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has dismissed from public service Masbate governor Rizalina Seachon Lanete for her purported misuse of pork barrel funds in the alleged scheme of Janet Lim-Napoles.

In a statement on Friday, Morales said Lanete was dismissed from service and perpetually barred from public office for grave misconduct, serious
dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Lanete was sacked in connection with the alleged misuse of P112.29 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2007 to 2009.

The Ombudsman dismissed Lanete as she faces plunder over the alleged pork barrel scam charge.

Also ordered dismissed from service are Technology Resource Center (TRC) executives, namely: Dennis Cunanan, Marivic Jover, and Consuelo Lilian Espiritu; National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) official Victor Roman Cacal; and National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) representatives, namely: Gondelina Amata, Chita Jalandoni, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Ofelia Ordoñez, Sofia Cruz, Filipina Rodriguez and Gregoria Buenaventura.

The Ombudsman said Lanete’s pork barrel projects were only ghost implementations, and that the pertinent PDAF documents, such as the disbursement vouchers, progress and accomplishment reports, fund utilization, inspection and delivery reports, and certificates of acceptance, were all fabricated.

Accused of conniving with purported pork barrel scam mastermind Napoles, Lanete is alleged to have pocketed P108.405 million siphoned from her PDAF from 2004 to 2010 when she was Masbate representative.

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 received P108.405 million in kickbacks from 2004 to 2010, 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 is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig with fellow suspect Atty. Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, the chief of staff of another pork barrel scam
suspect senator Juan Ponce Enrile.