P10-B Scam - CoA warns solons on bogus NGOs preying on PDAF

CoA warns solons on bogus NGOs preying on PDAF

Written by  Gerry Baldo
Thursday, 30 May 2013 08:00

The Commission on Audit (CoA) yesterday warned lawmakers not to fall into the trap of channeling their priority development assistance fund (PDAF) to fake foundations such as the Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc (PFI) which made off with P199.63 million in pork barrel funds from three senators and a former partylist congressman.

CoA said the fake NGO used false documents to liquidate government funds received in 2009 and 2010.

CoA noted that Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Rep. Rene Velarde (PL-Buhay) released P206 million from their PDAF to the Department of Agriculture (DA) which turned over the P201 million to ZNAC Rubber Estates Corp.  which in turn transferred P194.97 million to Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. (PFI).

A breakdown of the amount showed that P74.69 million came from Enrile’s pork barrel; P106.7 million from Estrada, P9.7 million from Revilla and P3.88 million from Velarde, according to CoA.

The disbursements were supposedly for agricultural development and livelihood projects of the legislators.
The amounts were earmarked for the purchase of seedlings, fertilizers, hand tractors, water pumps and composting/organic fertilizer facilities as well as for the conduct of trainings and seminars for farmers.

Auditors, however, found that various documents submitted by PFI in support of supposed procurements like official receipts, sales invoices and delivery receipts did not tally with those from the identified suppliers two of which were found to be non-existent.

While the audit report stressed that the lawmakers’ offices specifically nominated PFI to implement their projects, the three senators have vehemently denied this and demanded a clarification from the DA.
Estrada likewise vowed to call for a congressional inquiry into the matter, saying he was assured that his PDAF will benefit farmers in the provinces.

CoA recommended that ZREC compel PFI to refund P161.914 million that was liquidated using “fabricated documents and forged signatures” and to study legal actions against the NGO and to submit for audit all disbursements vouchers pertaining to the release of P10 million to PFI in 2010.

CoA said all PDAF disbursements since 2009 and subsequent years are already covered in a wider review being conducted by the Special Audits Office under the Special Services Sector.