The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Muslim lawmakers want probe on alleged Hajj fraud schemes
‘Pilgrims support House Resolution 611’
MUSLIMS ARE supporting a proposed probe on alleged fraudulent schemes in the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia, saying, there had been persistent reports and complaints from pilgrims who paid huge amount of money for services and accommodations, but got less and worse, some had been left to fend for themselves in Mecca. Muslim lawmakers Shernee Tambut, of the Kusug Tausug partylist group; and Samier Tan, of Sulu province, have filed House Resolution Number 611 directing the Committee of Muslim Affairs to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation in order to implement remedial measures that will put a quietus to the endless miseries being
experienced by Muslim Filipino pilgrims. The resolution they introduced reads: “Directing the Committee of Muslim Affairs to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the fraudulent schemes during the registration phase to hajj or the annual Islamic pilgrimage, and other anomalous practices on the selection and accreditation of travel agencies that handle the travel ticketing and reservation of Muslim Filipino pilgrims, misrepresentation in the accommodation and provisions in Medina, Mecca and Mina, and grave abuse in the constitution and composition of the supervisory groups committed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) in order to implement remedial measures that will put a quietus to the endless miseries being experienced by Muslim Filipino pilgrims.”
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca where pilgrims perform acts of worship and renew their sense of purpose in the world. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime. Tambut and Tan the investigation is necessary to shed light on all allegations of fraud.
They said the paramount objectives of the government to put to task the NCMF to administer all programs, projects, and activities related to the Hajj have been defeated by condemnable acts of the same agency by employing fraudulent scheme and other anomalous practices to the detriment of the Muslim Filipino pilgrims.
The lawmakers added that the NCMF was created to perform powers and functions such as, among others, to “administer all programs, projects, and activities, formulate the necessary rules and regulations, and coordinate with pertinent offices to ensure the success of the annual Hajj to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
“And promote the development of a Hajj Assistance Fund that shall be created from contributions of Muslim Filipinos and other donors which shall be used to support the financial needs of deserving Muslim Filipinos intending to participate in the annual Hajj.”
Elyas Company
Last year, the state-run Philippine News Agency reported that pilgrims had nearly been blocked from attending the Hajj over a huge debt by the NCMF to a Saudi Arabian tourism company. It said Elyas Company, which took charge of some Hajj-related activities for Muslim Filipino pilgrims in 2017 and 2018, had filed a case against the Philippine government for an uncollected P11-million debt.
An investigation into the mess alleged that the funds had been mismanaged by some NCMF officials who even brought many of their relatives to the Hajj using government money. There was also confidential report implying that the funds were allegedly pocketed by some officials.
PDAF
And in June 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman affirmed the dismissal of 5 NCMF executives for their complicity in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.
Then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public office of Secretary and Commissioner
Mehol Sadain, Director III Galay Makalinggan, Acting Chief Accountant Fedelina Aldanese, Acting Chief Aurora Mabang, and Cashier Olga Galido. They were found guilty of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
An in-depth investigation uncovered that in May 2012, the Department of Budget and Management issued a Special Allotment Release Order covering P3.8 million in favor of NCMF, as implementing agency, charged against (former) Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong’s (who passed away in February 2017) PDAF.
The money was intended to finance livelihood programs such as soap making, candle making and meat processing for the municipalities of Mamasapano, Ampatuan and Datu Abdullah Sanki. To facilitate the fund utilization, Datumanong requested that the P3.8million be coursed through the Maharlikang Lipi Foundation, Inc., as Ngo-partner,
through the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement.
Upon audit, the Commission on Audit found that the selection of the NGO was undertaken in violation of COA Circular No. 2007-01 noting the absence of public bidding in the Ngo-selection process.
In its order, Ombudsman Morales ruled that “it has been proven that respondents participated in the preparation and execution of the MOA on the implementation of Datumanong’s Pdaf-funded projects covered by the SARO.” The Ombudsman added that “respondents miserably failed to measure up to the procurement policy standards when they failed to strictly comply with the Government Procurement Reform Act.”
And in July last year, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division convicted 3 of them and a private individual of their criminal charges. It said Sadain, Mabang, Makalinggan and Maharlikang Lipi Foundation Inc. (MLFI) General Manager
Queenie Rodriguez were slapped with graft charges due to the endorsement of MLFI as the project partner in implementing the livelihood projects in Datumanong’s district, which was funded by his PDAF.
It said the accused made an offer for plea bargaining on May 7, 2018, to plead guilty to the lesser offense of Section 7(a) of R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials instead of graft. So in a decision promulgated on June 14, the anti-graft court approved the plea bargain.
Sadain, Mabang, and Rodriguez pleaded guilty to two breaches of conduct violations and were imposed a total fine of P10,000. Meanwhile, Makalinggan is imposed a fine of just P5,000 after he was found guilty of one breach of conduct violation, according to the report.
The 10-page decision was written by Acting Chairperson Zaldy Trespeses with the concurrence of Associate Justices Georgina Hidalgo and Bayani Jacinto. (Mindanao Examiner)