(Eagle News) — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of cases against former Misamis Oriental Rep. Prospero Nograles for his alleged involvement in the “anomalous utilization” of P10 million worth of priority development assistance funds.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ombudsman said Nograles, who also became speaker of the House of Representatives, was set to be indicted for violation of the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act (three counts), for malversation (one count), and for malversation through falsification of public documents (two counts).
The soon-to-be indictment stems from the former congressman’s alleged “direct” participation and intervention in the various phases of implementation of integrated livelihood projects from 2008 to 2009.
It also came about after the Ombudsman found that the nongovernment organizations chosen by Nograles and his predecessor, former Rep. Danilo Lagbas, who died in 2008, for those projects “could not qualify for the grant of government funds since they failed to strictly comply with all the requirements needed in order to be considered eligible…”
These nongovernment organizations are Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation Inc., Kasangga sa Magandang Bukas Inc., Gabay at Pag-Asa ng Masa Foundation Inc., and the Buhay Mo Mahal Ko Foundation Inc.
The National Agri-Business Corp., the Technology Resource Center, and the National Livelihood Development Corp. were the implementing agencies.
“In the field verification conducted by the Ombudsman field investigation unit in Mindanao, it was discovered that many of the livelihood project beneficiaries denied receipt of the livelihood technology kits/materials, grafted seedlings, hand tractors and water tractors,” the antigraft agency added.
Standing as Nograles’ co-accused are his then-chief of staff Jennifer Karen Lagbas; chief public affairs officer Danilo Jamito; Nabcor representatives Allan Javellana, Encarnita Cristina Munsod, Romulo Relevo, Ma. Julie Villaralvo-Johnson, and Rhodora Mendoza; NLDC representatives Gondelina Amata, Evelyn Sucgang, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Ofelia Ordonez and Sofia Cruz; TRC representatives Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Marivic Jover and Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana; and Marilou Antonio, Godofredo Roque, Maria Paz Vega, Marilou Ferrer, Rodrigo Doria, Flerida Alberto, Miraflor Villanueva, Melinda Guerrero, and Carmelita Barredo.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales also ordered that copies of the resolution be given to the Antimoney Laundering Council, so it could look into “possible violations by the respondents of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.”
