Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the dismissal from the service of 13 government officials for the alleged illegal utilization of P547 million in the Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel” fund of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla Jr.
Found guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service were Richard Cambe, former chief of staff of Revilla;
Technology Resource Center Director General Dennis Cunanan, Chief Accountant Marivic Jover, and budget officer Consuelo Lilian Espiritu; Gondelina Amata, Gregoria Buenaventura, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Sofia Cruz, Chita Jalandoni, Ofelia Ordoñez, and Evelyn Sucgang of the National Livelihood Development Corp.; and Victor Ramon Gacal and Rhodora Mendoza of the National Agribusiness Corp.
The dismissal order carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of all retirement benefits.
In the event of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s salary for one year.
All the respondents are being tried before the Sandiganbayan for their involvement in the anomalous utilization of the PDAF of the former solon. (Jun Ramirez)