Masbate governor barred from leaving over ‘pork’

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan yesterday issued a hold departure order against former congresswoman now Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete who is facing plunder charges for her alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

“The Bureau of Immigration is directed to bar the accused from leaving the Philippines for any destination abroad, either by air or sea transport, except by prior written permission secured from and granted by this court,” the Sandiganbayan ruling stated.

No arrest warrant was issued against Lanete, said Joffre Gil Zapata, Sandiganbayan Fourth Division clerk of court.

The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Lanete and five other lawmakers last week for allegedly receiving kickbacks and commissions from suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

Former APEC party-list representative Edgar Valdez was also charged with plunder while former lawmakers Constantino Jaraula (Cagayan de Oro), Rodolfo Plaza (Agusan del Sur) and Samuel Dangwa (Benguet) were charged with graft, direct bribery and malversation of public funds in connection with the pork barrel scam.