Ombudsman dismisses 2 Enrile staffers, 10 others in PDAF cases

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the dismissal from the service of 12 government officials for their alleged involvement in the anomalous utilization of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF).

Ordered dismissed were Jessica Lucila Reyes and Jose Antonio Evangelista, chief of staff and deputy chief of staff, respectively, of the office of Senator Enrile; Victor Ro-

man Cacal of the National Agribusiness Corporation (Nabcor); Gondelina Amata, Chita Jalandoni, Emmanuel Sevidal, Ofelia Ordonez, Filipina Rodriguez, and Sofia Cruz of the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC); and Dennis Cunanan, Consuelo Espiritu, and Marivic Jover of the Technology Resource Center (TRC).

They were found guilty by the Ombudsman of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dishonesty. The dismissal order carries with it perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of all retirement benefits. Separation from the service is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s salary for one year.

The same respondents are now being tried before the Sandiganbayan for their alleged involvement in the anomalous utilization of the 2007 to 2009 PDAF of former Senator Enrile.

Investigation showed that from 2004 to 2010, Senator Enrile endorsed the implementation of his PDAF-funded livelihood and agricultural production projects to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) connected with Janet Lim Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind.

From 2007 to 2009, a total of 1345 million was released by the Department of Budget and Management as part of Enrile’s PDAF. Enrile identified the Nabcor, NLDC, and TRC as implementing agencies.

Enrile, through Reyes, allegedly authorized Evangelista to act for him, deal with the parties involved, and sign documents necessary for the implementation of projects.

The 1345 million was allegedly used to buy farm implements, fertilizers, vegetable seeds, and for technical assistance technology transfer through video courses.

However, Ombudsman field investigators reportedly found that no deliveries were made to the supposed beneficiaries.