Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has found probable cause to charge 2nd district Representative Thomas Dumpit, Jr. for the anomalous utilization of his 2007-2009 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) totaling P 66.5million. Dumpit is set to face trial before the Sandiganbayan for 15 counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), nine counts of Malversation thru Falsification of Public Documents and six counts of Malversation of Public Funds.
Based on the audit report submitted by the Commission on Audit (COA), the Ombudsman found that from 2007 to 2009, Dumpit received a total of P66.5 million in PDAF to fund projects such as distribution of livelihood training kits, business clinics, market development, livelihood trainings, distribution of instructional and livelihood materials, grafted seedlings, hand tractors, water pumps, manicure sets, hairdressing kits and sewing machines. The projects were supposed to benefit the constituents of the 2nd district of La Union.
Upon field verification by Ombudsman investigators, it was discovered that these were ghost projects as no kits were distributed, no trainings conducted and that the documents submitted to support the liquidation of the public funds were all fabricated.
Ombudsman investigators who went to La Union were also able to validate reports that the recipients listed as beneficiaries did not receive any kits, seedlings or trainings. Many of the purported beneficiaries whose names appeared on the list of beneficiaries are not even residents or registered voters of La Union. Public officials interviewed by investigators certified that they were not recipients of the projects. Suppliers also denied issuing receipts and invoices used in the liquidation reports.
Records show that Dumpit identified the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC), National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) and the Technological Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) as implementing agencies (IAs). Representative Dumpit also indentified and endorsed the Aaron Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI), Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation (KKMFI) and Kasangga sa Magandang Bukas Foundation, Inc. (KMBFI) as non-government organizations (NGOs) and recipients of his PDAF.
Aside from being ghost projects, the Ombudsman also found that rules on procurement were repeatedly disregarded in the NGO selection process.
According to Ombudsman Morales, “noteworthy is the extraordinary accommodation extended to the [NGOs] in the examination, processing and approval by the concerned [IAs] in the PDAF releases” as “in some instances, the Disbursement Vouchers were accomplished, signed and approved within a one-day interval, if not the same day.” The Ombudsman also cited the Supreme Court ruling “that in a Congressional Pork Barrel System, it is the legislator who exercises actual control and custody of the PDAF share.”
Apart from Dumpit, also included in the charge sheet are Antonio Ortiz, Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana, Francisco Figura, Consuelo Espiritu, Marivic Jover, Helen Chung, Pio Ronquillo, Bernadette Cabrera, Aurora Trinidad, Isabel Borja, Roderick Estacio, Analyn Bonifacio, Maricel Jacob, Morrys Ang, Fe Magtira, Reynaldo Guevara, Luisita Sese, Al Ablaza, Alejandro Orpillo, Flerida Alberto, Marilou Antonio, Carmelita Barredo, Godofredo Roque, Rodrigo Doria, Mariflor Villanueva, Elsa Walican, Gondelina Amata, Ofelia Ordoñez, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Chita Jalandoni, Gregoria Buenaventura, Sofia Cruz, Maria Paz Vega, Filipina Rodriguez, Evelyn Sucgang, Ma. Neriza Gador, Lilibeth Aloot, Emilio Estaloza Cresencio Palway, George Roque and Joel Soriano.
Ombudsman Morales also directed that copies of the resolutions be forwarded to the Anti-Money Laundering Council for appropriate action on possible violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. ###