SP links Javier in P10M coop rice mill scam
SAN JOSE, Antique -- After four months of inquiry, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan tripartite investigative committee found that there is substantial evidence to indict the individuals involved in the diversion of the P10 million pork barrel of Rep. Exequiel Javier to a cooperative which is believed to be that of his allies.
The investigation was an offshoot of the controversial purchase of P9.9 million 40-ton rice mill for the municipality of Patnongon in December 2007, funded by Javier’s P10 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Committee findings showed that on December 28, 2006 the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit No. 6 (DARFU 6) represented by then Regional Executive Director Jindra Linda L. Demeterio, entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Municipality of Patnoñgon, Antique, represented by Mayor Johnnyflores S. Bacongallo, for the utilization of Rep. Javier's P10 million PDAF intended for the implementation of the food security, livelihood and post harvest facility program of the municipality of Patnongon.
On January 22, 2008, however, the Sangguniang Bayan of Patnongon passed and approved Resolution No. 007-2008, whereby the aforesaid LGU entered into a joint venture with the Greater Antique Development Cooperative (GRAND COOP). The joint venture resulted to the transfer of the ownership and operation of the 40-ton rice mill by LGU Patnongon to the GRAND COOP.
The Committee emphasized that the P10 million PDAF of Cong. Javier released through the DARFU VI originally intended for food security, livelihood and post harvest facility for the LGU Patnoñgon was not legally used for the purpose or purposes for which it was intended.
It added, while the Memorandum of Agreement states that the PDAF of P10M was intended for the hunger mitigation program for LGU-Patnoñgon which Congressman Javier concurred jointly with then DARFU Regional Director Demeterio and Mayor Bacongallo, the original purpose of the appropriated amount was not realized as the funds was diverted to purchase a 40-ton rice mill for the GRAND COOP.
“There is no doubt that Congressman Javier must have full and complete knowledge thereof. He cannot now feign ignorance of all these illegalities contrary to his public pronouncement that he has nothing to do anymore after the amount was released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for a particular project. It is conceded that with his vast and awesome power and as the source of this P10M bounty, Congressman Javier could have timely averted the diversion and misappropriation of his PDAF had he acted swiftly to prevent such illegality from being committed,” the Committee said in its report.
The probe body also took note “the fact that the GRAND COOP maintains its principal office in the Congressional District Office itself of Congressman Javier located at Cabasan Bldg., Ricarze St., San Jose, Antique, which is being ran and managed by his congressional staff, Mr. Efren Esclavilla, who, in his capacity and chairman of the Board of the GRAND COOP was a signatory to the joint venture executed by and between LGU Patnongon and the GRAND COOP.”
The diversion of the amount of P10 million by way of giving the same to the GRAND COOP in the guise of a joint venture between the latter and LGU-Patnoñgon is plain misappropriation of funds which render the party and/or parties responsible thereto criminally liable, the Committee stressed.
The Committee also discovered that the 40-ton rice mill was provided by only one supplier ALHEED International Trading Corporation with address at Unit 2701, Antel Global Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
During the inquiry it was established by the COA Regional Office Inspection Team headed by Mr. James Sotto that the machinery is out of order and some parts were lacking.
The Committee also found out that the rice mill has not been subjected to a full capacity test run because the generator allegedly donated by the supplier which was intended to start the rice mill and put it into running condition has malfunctioned and could not be used.
The Committee also added that “as of today, the rice mill is gathering dust, rotting and purposeless, idly lying at the rented NFA bodega in Poblacion 5, Hamtic, Antique, wastage of the tax payers’ money.”
Principal resource persons to the probe namely, Congressman Javier, Mayor Bacongallo, Mr. Efren Esclavilla Chairman of the GRAND COOP Board of Directors, Ms. Alfreda Zabala, Treasurer of the GRAND COOP, failed to appear despite due notice served and received by them.
The Members of the Provincial Board Tripartite Committee are:
Board Member, Atty. Alfonso V. Combong, Jr., Chair Committee on Laws; Appropriations; Civil Service as Chairman; Board Member Dante M. Beriong, Chair, Committee on Trade and Industry as Vice Chairman; Board Member Benjamin E. Juanitas, Majority Floor Leader, Chair, Committee on Ways and Means; Health and Peace and Order as Member; Fernando C. Corvera, Chair, Committee on Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and Agriculture as Member; Atty. J Tobias M. Javier, Chair Committee on Good Government as Member; and Rosie A. Dimamay, Chair, Committee on Women and Children as Member.
From the start of the Committee hearing on November 10, 2008 until its termination on February 10, 2009, Board Members Javier and Dimamay failed to appear and attend the hearings for reasons of their own.