Former solon slapped with graft raps

Former La Union 2nd District Representative Thomas de Lara Dumpit Jr. has been slapped with nine graft and nine malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan for his involvement in the 143.65-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam back in 2009.

Dumpit is facing charges in violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

From February, 2009 to April, 2010, Dumpit was accused by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer IV M.A. Christian Uy of “acting with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence” when he endorsed Kabuhayan at Kalusugang Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc. (KKAMFI), a non-government organization, as a “project partner” in implementing livelihood projects for residents in 18 barangays in Tubao, La Union.

Dumpit used his PDAF to fund the projects even without abiding by the implementing rules of R.A. 9184. He also proceeded with the payment for KKAMFI even if the NGO was unqualified to take on the projects.

On February 5, 2009, KKAMFI received 14,050,000 from Dumpit’s PDAF, followed by 17,500,000 on April 21, 2009, 11,500,000 on June 16, 2009, 14,050 on July 10, 2009, 17,500,000 on Aug. 12, 2009, 13,000,000 on October 6, 2009, 14,050,000 on Jan. 27, 2010, 110,500,000 on Feb. 18, 2010, and 11,500,000 on April 22, 2010.

Dumpit and other officials released the checks to KKAMFI “without conducting due diligence audit and careful examination of the qualifications of KKAMFI and the transaction’s supporting documents,” therefore allowing the NGO to “divert said PDAF to personal use instead of implementing the PDAF-funded project which turned out to be non-existent.”

Dumpit was accused together with his political affairs assistant Elsie Walican and C.C. Barredo Publishing House’s Carmelita Barredo.