Charges for plunder or violation of Republic Act 7080 were filed at Department of Justice (DOJ) today April 15, 2011 by former military budget officer George Rabusa for the alleged series of conversions of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) funds.
Former AFP chiefs ‘Diomedio Villanueva’, ‘Roy Cimatu’ and ‘Efren Abu’ were the ex-bosses included of Rabusa’s plunder complaint.
Carlos Garcia and Jacito Ligot, who were also facing separate plunder charges in Sandiganbayan were also included. But Rabusa said the case before the DOJ against the 2 is different.
Reporter of ABS-CBN was trying to get statements from Cimatu and Abu but their mobile phones were unreachable.
The counsel of Ligot said, ‘they will comment only after receiving a copy of the complaint’.
According to sworn statement of Rabusa, the ‘Provisions for Command Directed Activities’ (PCDA) and ‘Operating Program and Budget’ (OPB) funds were misappropriated and converted to cash using intelligence projects to be given to the chief of staff and others.
Some of these alleged offenses are partially converted, while others are fully converted or ghost projects where “the money was not utilized for anything’ and is just “pocketed by the commander of the unit or chief of office.
The 86-pages complaint statement of Rabusa with its annexes total 21-folders containing documented evidences such as ‘fund receipts’, ‘cash vouchers for cash advances’, ‘payment particulars and other receipts’ such as those for car repairs, meals, travels and others.
According to Rabusa the DOJ will find probable cause to file the information before the Sandiganbayan and to the Ombudsman because they have documented evidence as well as testimonial evidences executed by “witnesses who were also part of the fund conversion process.”
General Jose Mabanta Jr. AFP Spokesman said the gentlemen and former AFP officers who were charged for plunder by Rabusa are innocent until proven guilty.
Mabanta said”their guilt will still have to be proven in court.” he (–foul word(s) removed–)umes the accused are now preparing for their defense.