Manila: The Sandiganbayan has dismissed cases for graft and malversation against an NGO (non-government organization) official who was a co-accused in a case involving the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of a former La Union lawmaker in 2008.
According to Philippines News Agency, the anti-graft court's First Division, in a 22-page decision promulgated on September 2, dismissed the four cases against Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc. (KKAMFI) corporate secretary Marilou Ferrer. Ferrer was co-accused in the alleged misuse of PHP400,000 of the PDAF allocated to former La Union 2nd District Representative Thomas Dumpit Jr.
The graft court had previously dismissed the cases against Dumpit and other co-accused in 2023. However, Ferrer was only apprehended in 2024 as she had remained at large.
In its decision to clear Ferrer, the court highlighted that the only evidence of her supposed involvement was her noting of KKAMFI's project proposal and work and financial plan. The court stated, "The act of 'noting' both documents, however, does not convey her approval thereof, nor can it be considered as proof that she had any participation in KKAMFI's selection to implement the projects in question, in the falsification of documents, or in the failure to implement the projects."
