Gerry Ortega's family seeks probe on 'misuse' of Malampaya funds

The family of slain Palawan broadcaster Gerardo Ortega on Tuesday asked the Senate to investigate the alleged misuse of the proceeds from the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project — the largest natural gas development project in country. In a letter to Senate President Juan Ponce, Ortega's daughter Michaella said their family requests that the Senate conduct an investigation on how the Malampaya funds released to the provincial government of Palawan are being utilized. "My father never relented in pursuing the issues surrounding the misuse of billions of Malampaya funds. He would regularly discuss details of the unofficial copies of audit reports on the misuse of provincial and the Malampaya funds anonymously sent him," Michaella said in the letter. "One of the last things he discussed with me is the need to increase the noise on (the) Malampaya funds misuse to prevent the release of new Malampaya funds until the previous releases are properly accounted for and safety measures are in place to ensure that Palaweños will benefit from these," she added. In a separate letter, she likewise asked Senator Teofisto Guingona III to direct the blue ribbon committee - which he heads - to also conduct an investigation on the matter. "Help us pursue a better life for Palaweños, a dream my father died for. Tulungan po ninyo kami na maging matuwid ang pamamalakad ng pamahalaan sa Palawan," she said. Hopeful on Senate action The letter was delivered by Michaella, Ortega's widow Patty, activist priest Robert Reyes, and defeated senatorial bet, former Army general Danilo Lim, who jogged from the Department of Justice (DOJ) office in Manila. In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Mrs. Ortega said Enrile told them that he would first read their letter. The Ortega family, however, is hopeful the Senate would act favorably on the request. "Hindi naman siya nangangako pero sinasabi niya na titingnan niyang maigi ang aming kahilingan. Sila rin daw di nila makita nasaan yung pera (He did not promise anything but he said he will look into our request. He said they also can't find where the money is)," she said. Mrs. Ortega said they will also go to the Commission on Audit (COA) to follow up on the accounting of the Malampaya funds. "Naniniwala po kasi kami sa bagong chairman, siyempre kay Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, mas mapapabilis ang paglabas ng COA report dahil naniniwala kaming tapat sila (We believe in the new chairman, especially in Commissioner Heidi Mendoza. We believe that they will come out with the COA report right away because they are trustworthy)," added Michaella. Ortega was gunned down at a used-clothing store in Puerto Princesa City last Jan. 24, shortly after he finished his radio program for the day. Ortega, a veterinarian popularly known as Doc Gerry, served as director of the crocodile farm in Puerto Princesa for many years. He also firmly opposed destructive mining in Palawan. Earlier, Senate ways and means committee chairman Sen. Ralph Recto had asked the Energy and Budget departments for a full accounting of the money the government supposedly got from the Malampaya project. — RSJ, GMA News