‘GMA, Palawan execs misused Malampaya funds’

MANILA, Philippines - Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and some Palawan officials should be held liable for the alleged misuse of P2.3 billion in Malampaya funds, Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo said the other day.

Arigo has requested the Office of the Ombudsman to file appropriate charges against those responsible for the misuse of the multimillion-peso funds, perhaps based on a report by the Commission on Audit (COA).

He said that while the COA report affirms his suspicion that there were alleged irregularities in the use of Malampaya funds, he was not satisfied with the agency’s recommendations since these involved only “simple administrative charges.”

Arigo said the funds involved amounted to billions, but the charges filed were lighter compared to the misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds amounting to P355 million, resulting in the filing of plunder charges.

He said Arroyo and local government officials in Palawan who allegedly conspired to constitute the interim sharing agreement in 2009 should be made accountable.

“Definitely they should be held accountable because the interim sharing agreement that they are talking about that the provincial government did with the national (government was created) to feast on the Malampaya funds,” he said.

He added that the agreement was reportedly done without the knowledge of the people and it was only the late Dr. Gerry Ortega, a Palawan provincial board member, who helped expose it.

According to two COA reports, there were alleged irregularities in the bidding of projects involving P1.782 billion and P520 million reportedly sourced from Malampaya funds.

Arigo said he believes that the reports on the misuse of Malampaya funds disappointed the Palaweños because they had high hopes that it would bring more progress to the province.

Meanwhile, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the alleged misuse happened before he assumed office and that since he took over, his agency has not released any Malampaya funds.

He gave assurance that he would give his full assistance to the investigation and provide the needed documents.