Dismiss ‘pork’ raps vs ex-Benguet lawmaker, Sandigan asked

MANILA, Philippines — The lawyers of the late former Benguet representative Samuel Dangwa has asked the Sandiganbayan to dismiss the criminal charges filed against him in connection with the pork barrel scam.

In a motion filed before the anti-graft court’s third division on June 13 and obtained by reporters yesterday, Dangwa’s legal team said the former lawmaker died in April due to a lingering illness.

“There exists no further need to determine his criminal liability through these proceedings because his death has the effect of totally extinguishing the same,” the motion read.

Dangwa was indicted for six counts of malversation of public funds, five counts of graft and four counts of direct bribery.

Graft probers said Dangwa allocated P54 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations in exchange for kickbacks or commissions amounting to P26.7 million.