Jamaine Punzalan

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

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Former Masbate governor and representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, her chief of staff Jose Rosalinda Sumalpong, and Janet Lim Napoles were acquitted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan in the case involving their alleged misuse of Lanete’s P112-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).</p><p>In an October 24 unanimous decision, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division said the charges against Lanete “cannot prosper” due to evidence failing to show with certainty that she amassed at least P50 million in ill-gotten wealth, as required by the plunder law.</p><p>It added that the records bearing Lanete’s supposed signatures do not show she intended to misuse public funds.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/24/enrile-acquitted-of-graft-in-pork-barrel-case-1019">Sandiganbayan acquits Enrile, Reyes, Napoles in PDAF graft cases</a></div><p>“The records also do not prove that her signing of endorsement letters and memoranda was done with corrupt intent or with gross negligence. For these reasons, she must be acquitted of Plunder and of all counts of graft,” the decision read.</p><p>“The same principle applies to other accused who were charged only because their signatures appeared on documents, or because they processed papers in the ordinary course of their work. Where the evidence did not establish that they knew the NGOs were fake or that they deliberately joined the scheme, the presumption of innocence remains, and they must be acquitted,” it added.</p><p>PDAF whistleblower Benhur Luy earlier admitted under oath that he falsified Lanete’s signatures, which the ruling said “raises serious doubts about the authenticity and reliability of the documentary evidence relied upon by the prosecution.”</p><p>The anti-graft court said none of the prosecution witnesses saw Lanete inside the offices of Napoles, and prosecutors likewise failed to prove that the two ever met to talk about the scheme.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/5/sandiganbayan-upholds-acquittal-of-enrile-napoles-reyes-of-plunder-1233">Sandiganbayan upholds acquittal of Enrile, Napoles, Reyes of plunder</a></div><p>&quot;She was not observed attending any events, such as parties or masses, organized by Napoles. This lack of direct physical presence or personal interaction with Napoles, as testified by Luy, casts doubt on the extent of Lanete&#x27;s personal involvement in the alleged scheme,&quot; the decision read.</p><p>It added that the mere act of directing PDAF funds toward an NGO linked to Napoles does not, by itself, constitute a crime.</p><p>“The repeated endorsements of NGOs, absent proof of Lanete&#x27;s knowledge of their lack of track record or involvement in ghost projects, cannot be equated with criminal intent,&quot; the decision read.</p><p>&quot;Further, COA&#x27;s findings do not prove Lanete&#x27;s guilt, especially in the absence of any showing that she exercised control over the implementation of the project and disbursement of funds,” it added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LACKING &#x27;ESSENTIAL&#x27; ELEMENT OF PLUNDER? </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Moreover, the court found that less than P31 million worth of PDAF funds remained when all unsubstantiated amounts presented by prosecutors were removed from the computation.</p><p>&quot;This figure is well below the P50 million threshold mandated by Section 2 of R.A. No. 7080. (Plunder law)... without proof that the accused amassed ill-gotten wealth amounting to at least P50 million, the essential element of plunder is not met,&quot; it read.</p><p>The Sandiganbayan ordered the release of the respondents’ bonds and lifted the hold departure orders against them.</p><p>However, it required Napoles to pay back P107 million with a 6 percent annual interest, the amount she obtained from Lanete’s PDAF allocations.</p><p>In the same ruling, the court convicted Napoles on seven counts of graft for her role in diverting Lanete’s PDAF.</p><p>Napoles faces a prison term of six to eight years for each count and perpetual disqualification from public office.</p><p>On the other hand, Lanete and Sumalpong were acquitted of 11 graft charges in connection to the alleged misuse of PDAF funds from 2007 to 2009.</p>

<p>Former Masbate governor and representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, her chief of staff Jose Rosalinda Sumalpong, and Janet Lim Napoles were acquitted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan in the case involving their alleged misuse of Lanete’s P112 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).</p>

Former Masbate governor and representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, her chief of staff Jose Rosalinda Sumalpong, and Janet Lim Napoles were acquitted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan in the case involving their alleged misuse of Lanete’s P112 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Sandiganbayan acquits former Masbate Gov. Lanete, Napoles of plunder in PDAF case

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Sandiganbayan acquits former Masbate Gov. Lanete, Napoles of plunder in PDAF case

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 06, 2025 01:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

PDAF

Priority Development Assistance Fund

Janet Lim Napoles

Rizalina Seachon-Lanete

Masbate

Plunder

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