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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Quezon lawmaker has another plunder, graft rap before Ombudsman

Quezon lawmaker has another plunder, graft rap before Ombudsman

Published Nov 5, 2020 11:25 am

While Quezon 2nd District Rep. David "Jay-Jay" Suarez was slapped with criminal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over the reported misappropriation of agricultural materials just this Wednesday, it appeared that it is not the only case he is dealing with.

A complaint for plunder has been filed against him and nine incumbent and former officials of Quezon province earlier this June due to the alleged misuse of government funds intended for livelihood projects and the Tugon Program.

Fidel Verdad Jr. recently shared the complaint with the media, which sought to have Suarez and board members Romano Talaga, Teresita Dator, Lourdes de Luna-Pasatiempo, Manuel Butardo, Gerald Ortiz, Rachel Ubana, Joanna Rose Maritja, and Donaldo Suarez held liable for the crimes of plunder and graft.

The complaint stated that Suarez, when he was still the governor of Quezon, entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Unlad Quezon Foundation Inc. (UQFI) back in 2011 relative to the province's livelihood projects such as the goat-raising program, maritime sanctuary and fish hatchery, and cattle livestock upgrading program, among many others.

The province released P750 million to the non-government organization, but the complaint said that the fate of the money "remained a mystery as UQFI has not made any report on the disposition of the funds, to the detriment of Quezon Province."

Verdad likewise said in his complaint that Suarez misappropriated amounts allegedly for the payment of wages of workers recruited as beneficiaries of the Tugon Program, which amounted to P62,730,000.

Suarez reportedly sought authorization from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to disburse and implement the programs within election period. But without awaiting the approval of COMELEC, Suarez went ahead and "abused his authority," said Verdad, when he proceeded to implement the programs. The authorization was eventually denied on November 29, 2019.

"All told, the acts of plunder, first in the amount of P750 million from various departments and the provincial funds allotted for assistance to individuals in crisis situation and sustainable livelihood program embodied in the petition dated April 26, 2019 before the Commission on Elections in the amount of P62,730,000 constitute plunder," the complaint read.

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