NBI findings on fake SAROs out this week

MANILA, Philippines - The results of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe on fake special allotment release orders (SAROs) will be ready this week.

A source told The STAR a 20-page report containing details of the investigation is set to be submitted to NBI Director Virgilio Mendez this week. The source declined to provide more details.

Last October, the NBI uncovered P879 million worth of fake SAROs intended for farm-to-market road projects in the provinces of Cagayan and Aklan.

Personnel from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) were reportedly involved in the falsification of the SAROs.

Initially, two of the 12 SARO examined by the NBI had turned out to be fake, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said earlier. The SAROs were from Regions 1 and 6, involving P161 million and P77 million, respectively.

The other questionable SAROs were for projects in Calabarzon (Region 4-A) and Soccsksargen (Region 12).