Ex-solon refuses to enter plea in graft case

FORMER Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. on Friday declined to enter his plea in a P900 million corruption case at the Sandiganbayan.

The anti-graft court instead entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The ex-congressman faces 97 counts of graft involving an alleged scam at the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power project. A pre-trial was scheduled for August 9.

Mr. Andaya, a former Budget secretary, was accused of allowing the Malamapaya fund to be illegally used for agrarian reform purposes. His lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to stop the proceedings at the anti-graft court. — Vince Angelo c. Ferreras