By: Francis T. Wakefield
Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II yesterday posted P60,000 bail for two counts of graft filed against him before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misuse of his P30-million Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel fund” in 2012.
Accompanied by his lawyer Dennis Manalo, Honasan posted bail at the Biñan City, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 25.
Honasan underwent booking procedures at the Biñan City police station before proceeding to the RTC to post bail.
The court sheriff delivered Honasan’s bail to the Sandiganbayan yesterday for the information and appropriate action of the anti-graft court.
The Sandiganbayan Second Division issued a warrant of arrest against Honasan Thursday after finding sufficient probable cause to bring his two graft charges to trial.
Honasan was earlier charged with violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for releasing his PDAF to the National Council of Muslim Filipinos in April 2012, which was meant to help small and medium-scale livelihood projects for Muslim Filipinos in the National Capital Region and Zambales.
Honasan endorsed Focus Development Goals Foundation Inc. on June 2012 as the implementing non-government organization even without the benefit of compliance with procurement regulations.