DBM to sue employees in fake SARO scam

MANILA, Philippines - Employees and consultant of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) proven to be involved in faking release orders will be held accountable, Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad said on Wednesday.

"We will also be working closely with the (Department of Justice) in determining the best course of action for us, including the filing of charges against DBM staff whose involvement in the scam has properly been established," Abad added in a statement.

In September 2013, the DBM asked the NBI and the Department of Justice to look into an operation faking Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO) to funnel government funds.

On Tuesday, NBI recommended charges to be filed against five individuals connected with the DBM including Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr.

Read: NBI tags lawmaker, 4 others in fake SARO scam

The four other accused were Emmanuel Raza, member of Zamboanga Rep. Lilia Macrohon-Nuno's staff; Elvie Rafael, driver of Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos; Mary Ann Castillo, consultant for Haresco and DBM employee Bhernie Beltran.

Abad said that he is "very pleased" with the completion of the probe.

He also said that the budget department will consider the state investigators' suggestions on internal processes adjustments to prevent such scheme in the future.

"We’re also looking forward to refining other processes that may be vulnerable to abuse and irregularities, as well as plugging operational loopholes that may compromise the integrity of our work in DBM," Abad said.

He claimed that the DBM has already implemented measures to track official documents.