By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki Six officials from Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc. (NFPI) have been charged with graft and indirect bribery before the Sandiganbayan for accepting free transportation and accommodations from a company that had a lease contract negotiation with the government. Office of the Ombudsman (MANILA BULLETIN) NFPI Chairman of the Board Patricia Yvette Malabanan Ocampo-Desiongco, with board members Alicia Manuel, Rex Anthony Villegas, Caroline Lansang, Elizabeth Mercado, and Efraim Perez are facing charges for violating Section 3(b) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code, also known as indirect bribery. From Sept. 29 to Oct.1, 2017, the accused officials accepted a free trip to Jeju Island, Korea from Landing International Development Limited (LIDL). They were provided with a private jet going to and from Jeju Island as well as free accommodations. Ombudsman Samuel Martires said the trip was offered in order for them to attend the grand opening of Shinwa Theme Park in South Korea. However, at the time the offer was made, LIDL and NPFI were still under negotiation for a lease contract. The Ombudsman said that Section 3(b) of RA 3019 prohibits public officials from "directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the government wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law." Meanwhile, Article 211 of the RPC penalizes officials who accept gifts offered to them by reason of their office.