Looking back: lawmakers implicated in the pork barrel scam

In September 2013, “Investigative Documentaries” featured the Commission on Audit special report on the 2009 to 2011 pork barrel funds usage of select politicians. COA discovered that billions of pesos were pilfered to dubious non-government organizations and the NGOs were founded by the politicians themselves.

Starting the year by reminding the public of the most controversial (and still unsettled) issue in 2013, “Investigative Documentaries” looks back into the pork barrel funds of some of the politicians listed by COA in their special report.

Former Sen. Edgardo Angara
Pork barrel fund used: P14.4-M

Where did the money allegedly go?
To Kalusugan ng Bata, Karunungan ng Bata, Inc.

Connection to NGO: Angara is the incorporator.

Status: The ID team visited the listed office of the NGO at 1405 Marbella Condominium I Building in Pasay City and discovered the NGO does not hold office there. P9-M fund is still unliquidated.

Former Rep. Anthony Miranda, Isabela
Pork barrel fund used: P20.6-M

Where did the money allegedly go?
To Aksyon Makamasa Foundation, Inc.

Connection to NGO: Miranda serves as president.

Status: P20.6-M fund is still unliquidated. The offices of Aksyon Makasama Foundation, Inc. in Brgy. Mabini, Brgy. Abra, Brgy. Batal, Santiago, Isabela are currently all closed down.

Former Rep. Frederico Sandoval, Malabon
Pork barrel fund used: P20-M

Where did the money allegedly go?
To Pamamalakaya Foundation, Inc.. to pay for the salary of those who took part in the cash-for-work program Environmental Rehabilitation Project of the NGI. Each beneficiary received P2,500. Up to 103 beneficiaries did not receive assistance, while 294 beneficiaries could not be found in their given addresses.

Connection with the NGO: Sandoval’s sister-in-law, Janine Sandoval, is the incorporator and stockholder.

Status: As of September 2013, the office of the NGO in San Jose, Navotas is closed.

Former Rep. Matias Defensor, Jr., 3rd District of Quezon City
Pork barrel fund used: P99.5-M

Where did the money allegedly go?
To Matias Defensor Sr. Foundation, Inc.  

Connection with the NGO: Matias Defensor Jr. is the Corporate Secretary. His daughters Ma. Theresa Defensor and Michelle Defensor serve as President and Executive Director, respectively.

Status: The ID team went to the listed address of the NGO at the 4th. floor, Tempus Building, Matalino St., Quezon City and discovered that the NGO no longer holds office in the given address. According to Defensor, they transferred the office to his house. P8-M of the fund have no clear documents to trace transactions.

Cong. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, 1st district of Bulacan
Pork barrel fund used: P12.9-M

Where did the money allegedly go?
To Jose Sy-Alvarado Foundation, Inc.

Connection with the NGO: Sy-Alvarado is the president and incorporator.

Status: Only P8.7-M of the funds is liquidated.

Cong. Amado Bagatsing, 5th district of Manila
Pork barrel fund used: P21.7-M

Where did the money allegedly go?
To Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran Foundation, Inc.

Connection with the NGO: Bagatsing is the founder of KABAKA.

Status: P21.7-M is still unliquidated. According to Bagatsing, only P700,000 is unliquidated as they were already able to pass liquidation from September 2010-2012 to DSWD’s internal audit service. DSWD declined to comment on the matter.

As for the unliquidated funds amounting to almost P2-M given to the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR), Bagatsing admitted that the funds were not used properly and that his foundation was victimized by fake beneficiaries of NABCOR. The Department of Agriculture, the agency in charge of NABCOR, sent a letter explaining that they were able to use the P2-M funds provided by Bagatsing to pay the agency’s debts in 2008. NABCOR, however, declined to comment on the issue.
 

— Bernice Sibucao/CM, GMA News