MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has found probable cause to charge suspected rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan and 5 others of conspiring to rig the bidding of rice imports to increase the market price of rice in 2014. The DOJ said Bangayan will also be charged for the unauthorized use of the alias “David Tan.” In a 14-page resolution dated Nov. 5 and released to the media only on Friday, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Miguel Gudio Jr. affirmed the findings of the DOJ panel of prosecutors who found that Bangayan acted as financer of some cooperatives who took part in the bidding of rice imports. Bangayan was found to have worked with one Elizabeth Faustino, who facilitated the documentary and financial requirements of cooperatives Riverview MPC, Umasaka MPC, Sitio Muzon MPC, Sta. Cecilia MPC, Formosa MPC, and GPI San Miguel MPC. Meanwhile, in a separate transaction, one Eleanor Rodriguez was found to have acted as broker and facilitator of import requirements, Leah Echeveria as co-signatory of bank accounts opened for rice importations, and spouses David and Judilyne Lim as financers of cooperatives Kapatirang Takusa MPC, Ugnayang Magbubukid ng San Isidro Inc, Samahan ng Kapampangan at Katagalugan MPC and Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Kalawitan MPC. The Office of the Prosecutor General found that the cooperatives were merely used as dummies in the bidding in order to manipulate the price of rice in the market, in violation of Article 186, paragraph 3 of the Revised Penal Code. “The financial and technical… [Read full story]
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