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Ombudsman Panel to hear DAR’s CARP Fund Mess
05 August 2013, Press Release Ombudsman

AN Ombudsman panel composed of five lawyers shall hear the formal complaint filed in connection with the alleged misuse of the P200 Million allotted for agri-business development under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales today created a Special Panel to conduct preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication of the criminal and administrative charges filed by the Field Investigation Office (FIO) after the FIO has completed its case build-up which commenced even before Benhur Luy blew the whistle on the reported “pork barrel scam.”

Impleaded in the criminal complaint for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Falsification under Article 171, pars. (1) and (2) of the Revised Penal Code are former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary [and now party-list Representative] Nasser Pangandaman, Undersecretary Narciso Nieto, Director Teresita Panlilio, Chief Accountant Angelita Cacananta, Budget Officer Ronald Venancio, Cashier Nilda Baui, three (3) notaries public, three (3) certified public accountants, and twenty-four (24) private individuals including Benhur Luy.

Facing administrative charges for Grave Misconduct, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Serious Dishonesty are Pangandaman, Nieto, Panlilio, Venancio, and Baui.

The FIO complaint alleges that in 2007 and 2008, the DAR officials granted funds for “Agri-Business Development,” “Micro-Livelihood Project” or ‘Agricultural Production” to seven (7) non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in violation of the Commission on Audit (COA) circular on the release of funds to NGOs and POs, and which projects appeared to have been delivered to certain municipalities in Cagayan, Pangasinan, Cavite, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur, but whose supposed beneficiaries denied having signed or received anything.

The 245-page complaint identified the seven NGOs as: Philippine Agri and Social Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (PASEDFI); Agri and Economic Program for Farmers Foundation, Inc. (AEPFFI); Agricultura Para sa Magbubukid Foundation, Inc. (APMFI); Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation, Inc. (SDPFFI); People’s Organization for Progress and Development Foundation, Inc. (POPDFI); Masaganang Ani para sa Magsasaka Foundation, Inc. (MAMFI); Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (CARED).

The same Panel was also directed to conduct preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication of all other cases that may arise from or involve the utilization of the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

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