Honasan ‘pork’ scam trial to proceed

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has stood firm in its decision to deny Sen. Gregorio Honasan’s move to have the graft charges against him in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam dismissed.

Magistrates of the anti-graft court’s Second Division said the lawmaker’s omnibus motion to quash the arrest warrants, have the arraignment date deferred and the cases dismissed “is hereby denied.”

The Sandiganbayan, in a decision dated Oct. 27, said the pleading filed by Honasan through his lawyers is actually a motion for judicial determination of probable cause. The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr.

Honasan filed a motion for reconsideration after the Sandiganbayan junked his omnibus motion on Sept. 22 after finding probable cause to issue arrest warrants against him on Aug. 7.

Honasan said his letter recommending non-government organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of projects or programs funded by his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) allocations was recommendatory in nature.

Honasan was indicted for graft for the alleged misuse of P30 million of his PDAF in 2012. His pork barrel was paid to Focus on Development Goals Foundation Inc. for the supposed implementation of his programs and projects for Muslim Filipinos in Metro Manila and Zambales.

 The Office of the Ombudsman said Honasan “unilaterally chose and endorsed” Focus to be the implementer of the projects without the benefit of public bidding, as required under the government procurement law.