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[av_heading heading=’ Sandiganbayan: Arrest Honasan ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Sandiganbayan Second Division issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, who was charged with alleged misuse of his P30-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2012.
In a resolution released yesterday, the anti-graft court found probable cause to try Honasan for violating two counts of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act.
This developed just a week after the Office of the Ombudsman filed a case against the senator for allegedly endorsing a nongovernment organization (NGO) without following the procurement process.
“After perusing the information and carefully evaluating Ombudsman’s resolutions and joint order and evidences, the court finds that there is sufficient probable cause to hold the accused in trial and issue a warrant of arrest,” the Sandiganbayan said.
Aside from Honasan, also ordered arrested were political affairs chief/project coordinator Michael Benjamin; National Council of Muslim Filipinos’ (NCMF) Secretary Mehol Sadain, Acting Chief Accountant Fedelina Aldanese, Director III Galay Makalinggan, Acting Chief Aurora Aragon-Mabang, and Cashier Olga Galido; and Focus Development Goals Foundation, Inc. officers Giovanni Manuel Gaerlan and Salvador Gaerlan.
The case stemmed from Honasan’s approval of the P29.1-million payment to Focus Development Goals Foundation, Inc. for the implementation of livelihood projects (small and medium enterprises) for Muslims in National Capital Region and Zambales.
Honasan also allegedly endorsed Focus “as partner [NGO] for the projects without the benefit of compliance with procurement regulations.”
He and his co-accused prepared the check dated May 30, 2012 and the disbursement voucher approving the payment “in favor of Focus even before (1) the NGO was informed that it was found qualified to undertake the project on 04 June 2012; (2) the MOA (memorandum of agreement) was signed by the Office of Senator Honasan, NCMF and Focus; and (3) Honasan authorized the release of funds to Focus.”/PN
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