MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former official of the Technology Research Center (formerly the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center or TLRC) and 4 others in graft and malversation charges arising from the use of congressional discretionary funds of the late Compostela Valley Rep. Prospero Amatong.
In its 57-page decision written by Associate Justice Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and promulgated on Aug. 4, the anti-graft court's second division said the misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of Amatong between 2007 to 2013 in transactions ostensibly for livelihood information programs caused undue injury to the government and gave unwarranted benefits.
The court found Maria Rosalinda Masongsong Lacsamana, Butch Canoy, Vincent Jaudian, Mercy Cabig and Alfredo Soriano guilty of graft and sentenced them to up to 10 years imprisonment. It also ordered them to return PHP10 million representing the amount wrongfully and illegally disbursed.
Lacsamana was the legislative liaison officer and group manager of the Technology and Livelihood Information Dissemination Services Group at the time while the others were chief executive officer, chief operations officer, treasurer and vice president, respectively, of the Philippine Environmental and Ecological Development Association (PEEDAI), which secured the funding to implement the lawmaker's livelihood programs despite doubtful credentials and non-submission of periodic reports.
The court also found Lacsamana guilty of the separate charge of malversation and sentenced her up to 18 years imprisonment, a fine of PHP10 million. She was also ordered to reinstitute the government the amount of PHP10 million
"PEEDAI is not in any way engaged in livelihood programs. Obviously therefore, no lawful nexus connects PEEDAI to the project proposal of Rep. Amatong," the court said of the transaction. (PNA)
