Sandigan orders ex-lawmaker’s arrest over ‘pork’

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Malabon-Navotas congressman Alvin Sandoval, who is facing charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.

The anti-graft court’s First Division also ordered the arrest of six of Sandoval’s co-accused in the graft and malversation of public funds charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman last month.

The Sandiganbayan has also issued hold departure orders against them, barring them from leaving the country without permission from the court.

Sandoval reportedly received kickbacks or commissions from bogus non-government organizations controlled by alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

He is accused of channeling P30 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation from 2007 to 2009 to fictitious livelihood projects of these ghost NGOs.

Indicted with him were Technology Resource Center officials Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, Marivic Jover and Consuelo Espiritu; Dr. Rodolfo A. Ignacio Sr. Foundation Inc. director Rolleo Ignacio; Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. president Petronila Balmaceda and secretary Fernando Balmaceda; and Jacinto Caster Borja Foundation Inc. president Roberto Agana.