MANILA, Philippines- Inabswelto ng Sandiganbayan ang dating kongresista sa distrito ng Agusan del Sur sa mga kasong malversation, direct bribery at korapsyon dahil sa maanomalya umanong paggamit ng Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) sa agricultural at livelihood projects noong 2008.
Sa 234 pahinang desisyon, walang naipakitang pruweba na tumangap si Rodolfo Plaza ng kickback mula sa paggawad ng ₱27.5 million na proyekto sa Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (MAMFI) at Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation Inc. (SDFPPI) na nagsilbing project partners at hinihinalang pinatatakbo noong ng umano’y pork barrel scam mastermind na si Janet Lim Napoles.
Inihayag ng Sandiganbayan na nabigo ang prosekusyon na patunayan na nakakuha si Plaza ng commissions at kickbacks.
“The prosecution failed to prove that the deposits in Plaza’s bank account were sourced from his PDAF allocations or were made as bribes in consideration of the alleged pilfering of said public funds. Thus, for failure of the prosecution to prove the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt Plaza’s acquittal is warranted.”
Bukod kay Plaza at Napoles, abswelto rin sa kaso sina Jasper Kapunan, chief of staff ni Plaza, dating Department of Budget and Management (DBM)) undersecretary for operations Mario Relampagos at tauhan nitong sina Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule, Marilou Bare.
Samantala, ang mga kaso laban kina National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) president Alan Javellana, chief Accountant Ma. Julie Villaralvo-Johnson at John Raymund de Asis ay muling bubuhayin ng korte sa sandaling maaresto na sila o kung boluntaryong sumuko.
Naglabas na ang korte ng alias warrants of arrest laban sa mga nabanggit. Teresa Tavares
