Former Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong. ERIK ARAZAS
COTABATO CITY鈥擣ormer Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong on Wednesday reiterated that he never endorsed any contractor to undertake projects financed by his Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Reacting to a news report that he and several others from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos were ordered charged by the Ombudsman over the reported misuse of P3.8 million from his pork barrel funds in 2012, Datumanong said he could not recall entering into a deal with Maharlika Lipi Foundation Inc. (MLFI).
Forged signature
The Ombudsman said Datumanong had requested that the fund be coursed through MLFI as the partner nongovernment organization for livelihood projects in the municipalities of Mamasapano, Ampatuan and Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao province.
Lawyer Kenny Tantuico, a former senior member of Datumanong鈥檚 legislative staff, said the former congressman鈥檚 signature had apparently been forged and that the letter request used as evidence in the complaint did not even come from Datumanong鈥檚 office.
Datumanong himself said he did not normally give notes to anyone or to any office for favorable treatment, especially contractors.
鈥淚 have not done that (giving note to a contractor) in all my 50 years in聽 government service, and the Ombudsman can check on facts in my records. Because if I鈥檓 used to giving notes, then I would have been indicted for聽 bigger amounts then as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Justice,鈥� said Datumanong, who headed both agencies under the Arroyo administration.