THE Office of the Ombudsman has indicted ex-representative Rolex Suplico of Iloilo City for supposed involvement over an anomalous use of his Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2007.
In a Jan. 8 resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio -Morales found probable cause to charge Suplico with one count of graft for violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Also charged were Antonio Ortiz, former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center director general, and Alfredo Ronquillo, AARON Foundation Philippines Inc. president.
Before the 2007 elections, Suplico received P14,700,000 as part of his pork barrel fund on May 4, 2007.
The funds were transferred to the TLRC for livelihood and development projects in Iloilo City’s District 5.
The funds were then released to the foundation for project implementation.
The Commission on Audit’s special audit office said Suplico’s PDAF remained unliquidated, and that the project implementation and the AARON-selection process were not compliant with the provisions of CoA Circular No. 2007-01 and Government Procurement Policy Board Resolution No. 12-2007.
The foundation did not have a business permit since 2004, the Ombudsman said, adding even its business address was located in a vacant lot.
“There is no evidence showing that respondent Suplico exerted efforts to ensure that AARON liquidated the P14,700,000 which could only mean that he benefitted from the transaction or that he was grossly negligent. It is emphasized that respondent Suplico is accountable for the funds because he has control and actual custody of the funds as these funds cannot be released without his consent and directives. Such failure/refusal to liquidate the P14,700,000 clearly casts doubt as to the validity, propriety and legality of the transaction between respondents, causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to AARON,” the resolution read.