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MANILA, Philippines – Government prosecutors are opposing the motion of Budget fficials who want to lower the amount set for their bail for their supposed involvement in the “pork barrel scam.”
“They are charged with numerous cases…hence, it not only renders the accused-movants’ character and reputation suspicious, but proves their propensity to commit crimes thereby necessitating stricter measures to prevent them from evading the arms of the law,” the prosecution team said.
The prosecution team is composed of Deputy Special Prosecutor Manuel T. Soriano Jr, Prosecution Bureau 7 director Louella Mae Oco Pesquera, and assistant special prosecutors Anabelen Estrada-Ronquillo, Anna Leah Tiongson-Mendoza, Edgar Martho and Michael Paul.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, Budget and Management specialist Rosario Nuñez, and administrative assistants Lalaine Paule and Marilou Bare face 46 criminal charges, including those for graft and malversation of funds in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) cases.
Similar cases were filed against former Representative and current Masbate governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, former Benguet Representative Samuel Dangwa, former Agusan del Sur representative Rodolfo Plaza, former Cagayan de Oro representative Constantino Jaraula, and former APEC representative Edgar Valdez.
Bail amounting to P40,000 for each malversation rap and P30,000 for each count of graft were set for the DBM officials.
Mortgaged houses
The new charges are on top of the existing 42 counts of graft filed against them as co-defendants in the PDAF cases filed against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla. All 3 senators are currently detained at Camp Crame.
The same budget officials had previously asked the court to reduce their bail in the previous cases, a motion which was approved.
The DBM officials want the bail for the new set of cases reduced to P151,000 or less, arguing that their finances have already been spent in trying to stay out of jail for the first batch of PDAF cases.
In their motion, the DBM officials said should their bail bond not be reduced, they would be jailed for bailable charges given the high cost of bail. The budget officials said they had already mortgaged houses, borrow or received money from relatives and friends, and have no other means to raise more funds. – Rappler.com
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