FORMER ILOILO congressional representative Niel C. Tupas, Jr. is facing multiple charges for his involvement in the alleged anomalous utilization of P5 million from his 2008 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also referred to as the pork barrel. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of cases for two counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), one count of malversation, and one count of malversation through falsification of public documents. In its resolution, the Ombudsman highlighted that “to be able to repeatedly release substantial funds from the PDAF, access thereto must be made available, and this was made possible by Tupas, Jr. who directly chose and endorsed his own NGO (nongovernment organization) to implement his PDAF-related projects.” Also included in the charge sheet are Alan Javellana, Rhodora Mendoza, Romulo Relevo, Ma. Julie Villaralvo-Johnson, all from the National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR), and Marilou Antonio, project coordinator of the Kabuhayan at Kalusugang Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc. (KKAMFI). The Ombudsman cited that in a letter dated May 15, 2008, Mr. Tupas requested the Department of Agriculture for the transfer of P5 million to the NABCOR for the implementation of his PDAF-funded projects, including the purchase of hand tractors, water pumps and grafted fruit seedlings. As NGO-partner, Mr. Tupas recommended KKAMFI as project implementor. During field investigation, mayors from the six supposed beneficiary municipalities denied receiving any of the farm implements while the liquidation documents submitted by respondents were all allegedly fabricated, with Mr. Tupas signing the list of beneficiaries. — Mario M. Banzon

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