Davao Sur gov faces raps over ‘pork’ scam

MANILA, Philippines – Detained former lawmaker and now Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas will be charged with graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the pork barrel scam.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Cagas also faces charges for direct bribery.

Suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, former Energy Regulatory Commission chief Zenaida Ducut, Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Francisco Figura, Belina Concepcion, Marivic Jover, Maurine Dimaranan, Mario Relampagos, Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule, Marilou Bare, Mylene Encarnacion, Evelyn de Leon and Eulogio Rodriguez were included in the charge sheet.

Graft probers said Cagas received P16 million in 2007 that was released to the Technology Resource Center as the implementing agency. The money was given to the Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation Inc.  and the Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc., but no actual deliveries to supposed beneficiaries were made.

Cagas’ son former congressman Marc Douglas IV was earlier indicted for graft and malversation of public funds for misusing his PDAF for which he allegedly received commissions, rebates and kickbacks amounting to at least P5.5 million.

The elder Cagas is being held at the Digos City jail for the murder of journalist Nestor Bedolido in 2010.