Napoles, ex-CDO lawmaker convicted in PDAF scam

MANILA, Philippines — Former Cagayan de Oro congressman Constantino Jaraula and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles may spend the rest of their lives in prison after they were convicted in connection with the pork barrel scam.

In a 103-page decision promulgated yesterday, the Sandiganbayan’s First Division found Jaraula and Napoles guilty of three counts each of graft and malversation of public funds.

Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana and Belina Concepcion, group manager and legislative liaison officer, respectively, of the defunct state firm Technology Resource Center (TRC) and private individual Mylene Encarnacion were convicted of the same offense.

They were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for each count of graft and up to 18 years for each count of malversation.

The court also ordered their perpetual disqualification from public office and to pay the government P28.8 million, equivalent to the amount of public funds found to have been illegally disbursed and another P28.8-million in fine.

Jaraula was also convicted of three counts of direct bribery. He was sentenced to up to nine years in prison for each count and ordered to pay a fine of P6 million.

The court said the prosecution failed to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of former budget officials Rosalinda Nuñez, Lalaine Paule and Marilou Bare; TRC group manager Francisco Figura;  chief accountant Marivic Jover, and internal auditor Maurine Dimaraan.

The cases stemmed from the alleged misuse of Jaraula’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel in 2007 amounting to P28.8 million.

The ombudsman said Jaraula allocated his PDAF to the Napoles-owned non-government organization Countrywide Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Foundation Inc. in exchange for commissions or kickbacks amounting to P6 million.

The court said none of Jaraula’s supposed livelihood projects was implemented.

Napoles is facing various charges in other divisions of the Sandiganbayan as co-accused of several incumbent and former lawmakers in connection with the PDAF scam.

She is detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City after she was convicted of plunder in connection with the misuse of Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.’s PDAF worth P517 million.