Gigi Reyes, 11 others dismissed over PDAF scam

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of lawyer Jessica "Gigi" Reyes, former chief of staff of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, and 11 others involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of all retirement benefits of the 12 respondents involved in the scam.

Reyes and 11 others were found guilty of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dishonesty.

Also ordered dismissed were the following:

• Jose Antonio Evangelista II - Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Senator Enrile
• Victor Roman Cacal - Paralegal, National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR)
• Gondelina Amata - President, National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC)
• Chita Jalandoni - Department Manager III, NLDC
• Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal - Director IV, NLDC
• Ofelia Ordoñez - Cashier, NLDC
• Filipina Rodriguez - Budget Officer, NLDC
• Sofia Cruz - Project Development Assistant IV
• Dennis Cunanan - Director General, Technology Resource Center (TRC)
• Consuelo Lilian Espiritu - Budget Officer, TRC
• Marivic Jover - Chief Accountant, TRC

The penalty for the respondents is convertible to a fine equivalent to one year salary in case of separation from the service.

Reyes and the other respondents are also facing charges before anti-graft court Sandiganbayan for their involvement in the anomalous utilization of the PDAF of Enrile from 2007 to 2009.

From 2004 to 2009, Enrile endorsed the implementation of his PDAF-funded livelihood and agricultural production projects to non-government organizations associated with alleged PDAF scam mastermind Janet Napoles.

From 2007 to 2009, the Department of Budget and Management released a total of P345 million as part of Enrile's PDAF. The former senator identified the NABCOR, NLDC and TRC as implementing agencies.

"To facilitate the scam, Enrile, through Reyes, authorized Evangelista, to act for the Senator, deal with the parties involved in the process and sign documents necessary for the immediate and timely implementation of his PDAF-funded projects," the Office of the Ombudsman said.

The P345 million fund was supposedly allocated for financial grants, printed materials, agricultural livelihood packages and other tools but were not delivered to the supposed beneficiaries, according to investigation.

In the decision, Morales said that "based on testimonial and documentary evidence presented, the widespread misuse of the PDAF allotted to a legislator was coursed through a complex scheme basically involving projects supposed to have been funded by said PDAF which turned out to be nonexistent or 'ghost projects.'"