Ombud clears GMA but will charge 25 over P900M scam

THE Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file plunder and graft charges against 25 individuals in connection with the alleged P900-million Malampaya fund scam.

The Ombudsman ordered the filing of two counts of plunder, 97 counts of graft and 97 counts of malversation thru falsification over the Malampaya fund scam against the 25 respondents.

It found probable cause to file plunder and graft charges against former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.

However, the Ombudsman dismissed the charges against former president and now House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo due to insufficiency of evidence.

Likewise, the charges against former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita and DAR’s Dominador Sison Jr. and Nila Baui were also dismissed.

Also named respondents were Winnie Villanueva, Angelita Cacanta, Ronald Venancio, Rodrigo Galay, Alejandro Garro, Paquito Dinso, Jr., Gerald Apuanh, Napoleon Sibayan, Evelyn de Leon, Ronald Lim, Eulogio Rodriguez, Simplicio Gumafelix, John Raymund de Asis, Ruby Tuason, Janet Lim-Napoles, Jo Christine Napoles, James Christopher Napoles, Reynald Lim, former DAR undersecretary Narciso Nieto, Director Teresita Panlilio, ex-Candaba, Pampanga mayor Rene Maglanque, ex-DBM undersecretary Mario Relampagos and ex-DAR secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

The Ombudsman said that Tuason said her brother Remy’s contact in Malacañang was Atty. Jesus Santos. Santos allegedly helped in the release of the Malampaya funds.

Tuason admitted cooperating with Ja- net Lim- Napoles to facilitate fund release.

The Ombudsman also refused to grant Ruby Tuason’s request for immunity because her statements only points to Napoles’ liabilities.

The Ombudsman added that Tuason has admitted receiving P242.775 million in kickbacks.

It said the former officials of the DBM and the DAR conspired with non-government organization (NGO) representatives in illegally disbursing P900 million Malampaya funds in 2009.

The Ombudsman said the Malampaya funds were malversed and coursed through NGOs controlled by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and for which huge kickbacks and commissions were paid.

Napoles is the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel and the P900million Malampaya Fund scams.