Ombudsman Conchita Carpio has directed anew the Department of Science and Technology to implement the dismissal from service of Technology Resource Center (TRC) officials, namely; Belina Concepcion, MarivicJover and Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, after they were found guilty of Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service due to their involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam of Davao Del Sur ex- Representative Marc Douglas Cagas IV and his father, ex-Representative Douglas Cagas (now Governor of Davao del Sur).
Aside from the dismissal, they were also meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding public service. In the event that dismissal can no longer be enforced due to severance from office, the same shall be converted into a fine equivalent to their one-year salary.
The charges stemmed from the findings of the Ombudsman that Governor Cagas received P16million as part of his PDAF allocation, which he illegally channeled to the Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation, Inc. (CARED) and the Philippine Social Development Foundation, Inc. (PSDFI). CARED and PSDFI are non-government organizations controlled by co-accused Janet Lim Napoles.
As regard Cagas IV, investigation found that he misappropriated his P6M PDAF allocation in 2008 through the Farmerbusiness Development Corporation (FDC).
Both legislators used the TRC as conduit of their scheme, allegedly receiving kickbacks amounting to P5.5M and P9.3M, respectively, through Zenaida Ducut. Concepcion, et al, along with the Cagases and other co-accused, are also facing criminal charges of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), Malversation, Direct Bribery, and Corruption of Public Officials under the Revised Penal Code before the Sandiganbayan. ###