Lawmaker, 8 others charged for fund misuse

MANILA, Philippines — Nine incumbent and former officials of Quezon province including Rep. David Suarez are facing plunder charges in connection with the alleged misuse of P812.73 million that the provincial government received as shares from the operations of the Pagbilao Power Plant.

In a 16-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Fidel Verdad Jr. said Suarez should be investigated for plunder as provided under Republic Act 7080 or the Plunder Law, and for possible violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Aside from Suarez, named respondents in the complaint filed in June were incumbent provincial board members Romano Talaga and Teresita Dator, and former board members Manuel Butardo, Joanna Rose Martija, Gerald Ortiz, Lourdes de Luna-Pasatiempo, Donaldo Suarez and Rachel Ubana.

Verdad, who released to journalists copies of the complaint over the weekend, said that Suarez – during his term as governor in 2011 – allegedly conspired with the provincial board to release P750 million to a non-government organization (NGO), Unlad Quezon Foundation Inc.

The amount was intended for the implementation of livelihood projects.

Verdad said the provincial board authorized Suarez to enter into an agreement with the Unlad Quezon despite the NGO’s questionable qualifications.

“The NGO has never submitted any report on how the funds were used,” Verdad said in his complaint.

Records from the Securities and Exchange Commission showed the NGO ceased to operate as of Dec. 31, 2012.

Verdad said that between March and May 2019, Suarez and the provincial board reportedly disbursed another P63 million from the Pagbilao fund.