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The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City on February 19, 2020 Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon Cit on February 19, 2020 Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Sandiganbayan

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Two former officials of the now-defunct Technology and Resource Center (TRC) have been found guilty of graft and malversation of public funds over the unlawful release of at least P20 million to three non-government organizations (NGO) in 2007.The case stemmed from the TRC tapping three NGOs to implement proposed livelihood projects under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Manila Representative Joey Hizon.The Sandiganbayan Second Division convicted former TRC Deputy Director General Dennis Cunanan on four counts of graft and four counts of malversation. Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, TRC program manager, was found guilty of three counts each of graft and malversation.&quot;The evidence in this case unequivocally shows that the accused TRC Officers, while in control of public funds by reason of their office, willfully endorsed the DVs and issued memoranda to expedite the disbursement of public funds, thus enabling their release to unaccredited NGOs in blatant disregard and violation of established legal and regulatory standards and procedures,&quot; the 80-page decision promulgated on August 8 read.&quot;The funds were supposed to be for the implementation of various livelihood projects, yet none of these projects were executed as intended. These acts not only undermine the sanctity of public office but also represent a grave betrayal of public trust that this Court cannot tolerate,&quot; it further stated.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/4/former-officials-of-defunct-goccs-guilty-in-pdaf-cases-1225">READ: Former officials of defunct GOCCs guilty in PDAF cases</a></div>The anti-graft court pointed to Cunanan as the one who facilitated the disbursement of then Congressman Hizon&#x27;s PDAF by signing disbursement vouchers. Meanwhile, it said Lacsamana helped in the prompt release of funds by issuing release memoranda.Each count of graft carries a penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month up to eight years, including perpetual disqualification from holding public office. The malversation conviction is equivalent to twelve years and one day up to eighteen years, eight months and one day of reclusion temporal.The anti-graft court also found Rolleo Ignacio, then Executive Director of the Dr. Rodolfo A. Ignacio, Sr. Foundation, Inc. (DRAISFI), guilty of graft and malversation of public funds. It said &quot;private individuals can be charged and held accountable for relevant offenses under Section 3 of Republic Act No. 3019 when they conspire with public officers.&quot; The anti-graft court said there is no evidence Ignacio properly disbursed the funds, regularly submitted a project implementation report and coordinated with TRC for post-evaluation.Under the 2007 General Appropriations Act (GAA), TRC was the designated recipient of Congressman Hizon&#x27;s PDAF, not the three NGOs. However, PDAF funds worth P4,800,000 were released to Kaagapay Magpakailanman Foundation (KMFI), P9,600,000 to Kabalikat sa Kalusugan at Kaunlaran Foundation, Inc. (KKKFI), while DRAISFI received two sets of P4,800,000. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/10/sandiganbayan-denies-napoles-motion-for-reconsideration-on-pdaf-case-1303">READ: Sandiganbayan denies Napoles&#x27; motion for reconsideration on PDAF case</a></div>&quot;KMFI, KKKFI, and DRAISFI lack proper accreditation as NGOs, and the disbursement of funds to these entities does not comply with the 2007 GAA and COA Circular No. 96-003,&quot; the anti-graft court said.&quot;The disbursement could not have been sanctioned without his [Cunanan&#x27;s] signature on the relevant DVs [disbursement vouchers],&quot; the decision also read.The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution provided enough evidence to prove the three NGOs did not implement the proposed livelihood projects in the fifth district of Manila, causing a loss of P24,200,000 to the government.The Second Division ordered Cunanan to pay P4,800,000 for the amount &quot;wrongfully and illegally disbursed&quot; as indemnification to the government.Cunanan and Lacsamana are also ordered to pay P9,600,000, while Cunanan and Lacsamana must also pay P4,800,000. The penalties are equal to the funds the accused disbursed to each NGO.The same court acquitted Cunanan, Lacsamana and four others for falsification by a public officer for lack of direct evidence linking them to the act.Meanwhile, Francisco Figura, TRC Department Manager III, was acquitted for graft and malversation of public funds due to failure of prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.With the acquittal, the hold departure orders issued against Figura and two co-accused have been recalled.Cunanan is among personalities supposedly involved in Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) being investigated over alleged crimes.The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) was issued against Cunanan and others allegedly involved.<div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>

The case stemmed from the TRC tapping three NGOs to implement proposed livelihood projects under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Manila Representative Joey Hizon.

The case stemmed from the TRC tapping three NGOs to implement proposed livelihood projects under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Manila Representative Joey Hizon.

Sandiganbayan finds 2 former TRC officials guilty of graft and malversation over PDAF case

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Sandiganbayan finds 2 former TRC officials guilty of graft and malversation over PDAF case

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 12, 2024 02:58 PM PHT

Read More:

Technology and Resource Center

Sandiganbayan

graft

malversation of public funds

Dennis Cunanan

Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana

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