‘Pork’ cases vs ex-ERC chief archived due to dementia

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the pork barrel scam cases filed against former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chief Zenaida Ducut to be archived indefinitely as doctors confirmed that she is suffering from dementia.

“Ducut is unfit to stand trial as evidence on record indicates that, at present, she is unable to consult with her lawyers and comprehend the significance of the trial and her relation to it,” the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division said in a resolution promulgated on June 14.

The court, however, clarified that the proceedings of the cases filed against Ducut should be “revived when her mental condition improves,” enabling her to withstand trial.

The Seventh Division had ordered the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) to conduct a medical examination of Ducut every June of each year and submit the results to the court.

Sandiganbayan justices granted Ducut’s motion to indefinitely suspend the proceedings of her cases despite opposition from the Office of the Ombudsman, which insisted that the former ERC chief must undergo further medical evaluation.

The Seventh Division noted that Ducut has undergone evaluation by two neurologists from St. Luke’s Medical Center and the NCMH, who both diagnosed her to be suffering from dementia.

“The doctors testified that Ducut cannot remember details even of her schooling and career, which occurred much earlier than the subject of the present cases,” the court said.

Ducut is facing charges of graft and malversation of public funds together with Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, who was elected mayor last May.

The cases stemmed from the alleged misuse of Biazon’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel in 2007.

The ombudsman accused Biazon of allocating P3 million of his PDAF to one of the bogus foundations linked with alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in exchange for P1.950 million in kickbacks.

Ducut allegedly acted as Biazon’s agent.