NBI tags DBM official in fake SARO scam

by Leonard Postrado, Manila Bulletin

Manila, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has tagged Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Mario Relampagos for possible involvement in the scheme involving the falsification of several Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs).

Relampagos was earlier slapped with a plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of some P900 million worth of Malampaya funds.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima disclosed yesterday that Relampagos is so far the highest official being investigated by the NBI on the fake SAROs allegedly perpetrated by a “syndicate” within the DBM.

“Given the involvement of some of his personnel, Usec. Relampagos is inevitably covered by NBI’s ongoing probe,” she said in a text message.

“The core factual issues are: Does he know about the shenanigans of his subornidates? Did he tolerate the same? Worse, did he benefit from those corrupt practices?” De Lima asked.

Pending the investigation, she said the DBM official’s going on leave “is a matter between him and his superior.”

Earlier, the Justice chief said the NBI probe has so far pointed to the involvement of several staff members of Relampagos in the scam, including his secretary, driver and janitor.

De Lima declined to name any one of them. Relampagos then is the first official confirmed as among those under investigation over the controversy related to the multi-billion pork barrel fund scam.

Fake SAROs
NBI probers have already verified that the SAROs for two projects in Cagayan and Aklan provinces were falsified and that several DBM personnel were involved.


De Lima said NBI agents had found out that the group kept specimen signatures of approving authorities, which they superimposed on unsigned photocopied SAROs.

http://www.mb.com.ph/nbi-tags-dbm-official-in-fake-saro-scam/