The Sandiganbayan has delivered a strong verdict against an NGO official caught in a web of corruption. Mylene Encarnacion, president of the Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (CAREDFI), was found guilty of graft and malversation. She faces up to 18 years behind bars for the misuse of a P5 million discretionary fund from a La Union lawmaker back in 2007.
The anti-graft court’s 56-page ruling exposes a grim truth: the government project funded by then La Union Rep. Manuel Ortega’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) never reached a single beneficiary. Despite CAREDFI receiving the hefty budget, no livelihood initiatives for indigent farmers ever materialized.
Digging deeper, the court revealed CAREDFI wasn’t even qualified to receive PDAF money. Its capital was only P1 million — a far cry from the P5 million project cost. Still, Encarnacion signed off on documents and accepted the funds, even without the necessary accreditation from the Commission on Audit.
Locals in La Union chimed in, certifying they never attended any training or received any help from CAREDFI during the project period. When questioned, Encarnacion denied being CAREDFI’s president or board member. She insisted she never signed key documents or knew why she was listed as an officer.
Records showed a suspicious scheme to reroute PDAF funds through a government agency, then divert them to a dubious NGO partner — CAREDFI — endorsed by the lawmaker. No proof of fund liquidation or project implementation surfaced.
The Sandiganbayan made it clear: Encarnacion willingly joined this scheme, fully aware CAREDFI was unqualified. This proved she conspired to steal public funds.
As punishment, Encarnacion will serve 10 to 18 years for malversation and six to 10 years for graft. She must also pay a P5 million fine and an additional P5 million in civil liability, plus 6% annual interest until fully paid. On top of that, she is permanently barred from holding public office.
This case sheds light on how discretion in public funds can be exploited — and the heavy price for those who betray public trust. The fight against corruption remains relentless.
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