Sandiganbayan orders arrest of Honasan over P30M pork barrel scam

“The Court finds that there is sufficient probable cause to hold the accused in this case for trial and issue a warrant of arrest for them,” the Sandiganbayan Second Division resolution said. (PNA Photo)

MANILA, Aug. 10 — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan in connection with the alleged PHP30 million pork barrel fund scam.

The anti-graft court issued the warrant of arrest for  violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, which was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman’s (Ombudsman) Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against Honasan.

“The Court finds that there is sufficient probable cause to hold the accused in this case for trial and issue a warrant of arrest for them,” the Sandiganbayan Second Division resolution said.

“After perusing the information and carefully evaluating the Joint Resolution dated Aug 9, 2016 and Joint Order dated April 12, 2017 both of the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as the supporting evidence, conformably with Section 5(a), Rule 112 of the Rules of Court, the Court finds that there is sufficient probable cause to hold the accused in this case for trial and issue a warrant of arrest against them,” the resolution added.

Likewise, ordered arrested are Honasan’s coordinator Michael Benjamin and former officials of the National Council for Muslim Filipino (NCMF) Mehol Sadain, Fedelina Aldanese, Galay Makalinggan, Aurora Aragon-Mabang and Olga Galido.

Also included in the case are  Focus Development Goals Foundation, Inc. officials Giovanni Manuel Gaerlan and Salvador Gaerlan.

Honasan allotted his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to the NCMF, but it was found there was an alleged anomalous utilization of the PDAF.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) records show that Honasan’s PHP30 million PDAF was released in 2012.