Tessie to face graft raps

Former Bulacan Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan said yesterday he is preparing graft charges against Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta for failing to declare her P1-million balato that President Estrada allegedly gave her after a mah-jongg game two years ago.

"I don’t want my motives to be perceived as political, but the matter cannot be allowed to pass because it isn’t right," said Pagdanganan, who is eyeing to run for senator under the opposition Lakas-NUCD party.

Reports about the balato, or a generous tip, surfaced when Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson told a Senate inquiry that Oreta and Sen. John Henry Osmeña were given P1 million each as a balato from Mr. Estrada, who won a mah-jongg game with several of his friends on board the presidential yacht.

"Oreta was even quoted as having used the money for teachers, who later denied receiving any amount from her," Pagdanganan said.

Oreta and Osmeña later returned the balato.

Still, Pagdanganan said that receiving such a tip is "totally unethical, and constitutes graft and unexplained wealth."

The former governor said he will file the graft charge with the Office of the Ombudsman next week. – Ding Cervantes