The PDAF scam: List of accused in the first batch of plunder and graft cases

Almost a year after the multi-billion pork barrel scam hit the headlines, alleged mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and three senators are leading a cast of dozens who will soon be facing trial for the massive fraud. Their alleged conspirators include Senate employees, fake NGO officials, and top government executives who are accused of plunder and multiple counts of graft.

The scheme involves the diversion of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations, often intended for livelihood projects, into fake projects and NGOs. First unveiled by whisteblower Benhur Luy, the scam was later validated by a Commission on Audit special report released in August 2013 that detailed ghost recipients, questionable receipts, and suppliers operating without permits.

An interagency investigation uncovered a web of transactions involving legislators' offices, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and the NGOs of Napoles where public funds were supposedly laundered and kickbacks given out.

In September last year, the National Bureau of Investigation filed plunder and graft complaints against 39 people allegedly involved in the scam.

Last April, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Napoles along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and several others with plunder. Many of them filed an appeal, but the Ombudsman denied most of the motions for reconsideration.

Finally, plunder charges were filed at the Sandiganbayan on June 6 against Napoles, the three senators, and five other people in connection with the PDAF scam. Additional graft charges were filed against them and several others on June 9.

In the matrix below, GMA News Online provides a summary of the first batch of complaints and cases filed in the pork scam controversy, as well as the status of the cases at the Ombudsman and the anti-graft court based on official records. The Sandiganbayan raffled off the graft and plunder cases last June 13, and the justices have 10 days to determine probable cause to charge the accused or junk the cases.



Plunder is a non-bailable offense when evidence against the accused is deemed strong, which means warrants of arrest may be issued against Napoles and the three senators along with their alleged accomplices. Convicted offenders face 30 years in prison and the forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth in favor of the government.

Meanwhile, graft offenders face imprisonment of not less than six years and one month or more than 15 years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and confiscation of unexplained wealth.

- Research by Patricia Denise Chiu, Aica Dioquino, and Amanda Fernandez & matrix by Analyn Perez/YA, GMA News