Ex-congressman in pork scam barred from leaving Phl anew

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan issued a third hold departure order (HDO) yesterday against a former lawmaker charged for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.

The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division barred former APEC party-list representative Edgar Valdez from leaving the country without prior clearance or permission.

The HDO also covers his co-accused, including businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged brains of the scam.

Valdez is facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan along with former congresswoman and now Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete for allegedly receiving kickbacks or commissions in exchange for Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations that were used for ghost projects.

The Sandiganbayan had earlier issued an HDO against Valdez and former Benguet congressman Samuel Dangwa, who is facing lesser cases of graft, malversation and direct bribery along with former lawmakers Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro and Rodolfo Plaza of Agusan del Sur.

Ombudsman investigators and prosecutors indicted them last week after a long investigation into their alleged participation in the scam.