The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Sandiganbayan has dismissed graft and malversation charges against a non-government organization (NGO) official implicated in the alleged misuse of a former lawmaker’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) more than a decade ago.
In a 22-page decision promulgated on Sept. 2, the anti-graft court’s First Division acquitted Marilou Ferrer, corporate secretary of the Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc. (KKAMFI), who was accused of involvement in the supposed misuse of P400,000 in PDAF allocations of former La Union 2nd District Rep. Thomas Dumpit Jr. in 2008.
While the cases against Dumpit and other co-accused were junked in 2023, Ferrer’s charges remained pending as she had been at large until her arrest in 2024.
In clearing her, the court ruled that the only proof presented was Ferrer’s signature noting KKAMFI’s project proposal and work and financial plan.
“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,” the decision read.