GMA probe clears Melo Del Prado in 'pork' scam

GMA Network, Inc. on Wednesday cleared DZBB anchorman Carmelo Del Prado Magdurulang of allegations that he received payoffs in the form of “advertising expenses” from the pork-tainted, state-owned organization National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR).

The network's decision ended the six-week investigation that GMA started on April 7.

Del Prado expressed his gratitude for GMA management's fairness and support. He also said he had never doubted he would be cleared, considering that he had all the needed files from his advertising engagements at DZBB.

A three-member panel cleared Del Prado of any wrongdoing, stating that they “found no basis to say that Del Prado, while working as an anchorman of GMA/DZBB, received any payoff from any legislator’s pork barrel.”

The GMA panel was composed of Atty. Eduardo Santos, First Vice President, Internal Audit Department; Atty. Lynn Delfin, Vice President, Legal Affairs Department; and Atty. Gerrome Apolona, Vice President, Human Resources Development Department.

After examining broadcast contracts, payment vouchers, statements of income taxes withheld, and internal GMA forms and procedures, the panel declared that payments the Department of Agriculture made out to Del Prado—and were in turn received by him—were fully documented and legitimate.

On March 19, former NABCOR officials submitted documents to the Office of the Ombudsman stating that several media practitioners were paid off at the height of the pork barrel scam allegedly orchestrated by Janet Lim-Napoles.

The documents were submitted in connection with the Ombudsman's investigation on the Priority Assistance Development Fund (PDAF) allotted to lawmakers.

The panel found that the affidavits of Victor Roman Cacal, NABCOR Vice President and Administration and Finance and General Services Supervisor, did not even mention Del Prado or any payment he received from NABCOR.

Other media practitioners listed in the affidavit included TV5 news anchor and 92.3 News FM radio commentator Erwin Tulfo. On March 24, Tulfo filed a P12 million libel suit against the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which first broke the story. — Vida Cruz/NB, GMA News