UNA says CoA report a 'political harassment'

DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE – The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dismissed as political harassment the release of an audit report stating that two of its key personalities in the Senate have channeled funds to a dubious group.

UNA campaign manager Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said reports of the Commission on Audit (CoA) are relased to the media during the election season “for obvious political purposes.”

“What sets this election year apart from the previous election years is the eagerness with which the Liberal Party (LP) – the so-called party espousing a righteous path – has embraced the discredited practices of the Arroyo regime of harassing political enemies with trumped up allegations,” he said.

Tiangco said such allegations reflect desperation on the part of the Liberal Party.

“The demolition work against UNA leaders has intensified because the LP cannot deny what is happening on the ground. Big crowds are attending UNA rallies and sorties while their political events are nilalangaw (flop),” he said.

A CoA report for 2011 stated that about P195-million in priority development assistance fund were given to a “bogus” non-government organization (NGO).

The funds reportedly came from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, both key personalities of UNA, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. and Buhay Rep. Rene Velarde.

CoA said P206-million worth of priority development assistance fund (PDAF) for the Agriculture department was disbursed in many tranches in 2009 and 2010. 

The report said P201 million were channeled to state-run firm ZNAC Rubber Estate Corp. (ZREC). The firm reportedly gave about P195 million to a non-government organization called Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. (PFI).

Previous reports said P74.69 million came from Enrile’s PDAF, while Estrada and Revilla contributed P106.7 million and P9.7 million respectively.

Revilla, a stalwart of the opposition Lakas-Christian Muslim Democracts, allegedly channeled P3.88 million to the group while Velarde gave P3.88 million

CoA reportedly wants ZREC to require the PFI to refund P162 million owing to supposed fake documents with forged signatures.

UNA senatorial candidate Zambales Rep. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay said the administration allies should also answer the issues raised against it.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m sure Sen. Enrile and Sen. Jinggoy will answer that. But I think it is also mandatory for the administration also to answer all allegations against them as far as corruption is concern,” Magsaysay said.

Sen. Gringo Honasan said the timing of the release of the report is suspicious.

“It happened in 2011. Why only now? The timing is suspicious. Things are getting heated and personal. But we won’t get personal. We will just go to the people, who will make the decision,” he said. 

Former senator Ernesto Maceda believes the release of the report is related to “a concerted campaign against the senate president.”

Former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri lamented that the campaigns have been characterized by mudslinging rather than discussions on important issues.

“It’s sad that instead of talking about problems like poverty and solutions, we see black propaganda,” Zubiri said.

Nancy Binay said the passage of a freedom of information bill would have addressed questions on fund disbursements.