Saturday, September 17, 2005 (Philippines)

Clavel Martinez the congresswoman and eight others, including her son Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III (inset) will be asked to explain through counter-affidavits how P26.5 million in pork barrel funds were “irregularly” spent. (Sun.star cebu file photo) The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has resolved to file three counts of malversation of public funds against Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez and eight others for the P26.5-million Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) controversy. Deputy Ombudsman Primo Miro approved Director Virginia Santiago’s final evaluation report (FER) that also recommended that the committee on ethics of the House of Representatives be informed of the issue, “for whatever action they may take on the matter.” The GSP controversy centered on how Martinez (Cebu, 4th district) allegedly disbursed a total of P26.5 million from her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) into her personal bank account by using the GSP as conduit in 2002 and 2003. [full story]