Plunder conspiracy eyed vs Bersamin kin, Pangandaman

Charges of “conspiracy to commit plunder” are being eyed against resigned budget chief Amenah Pangandaman and former presidential legislative liaison office chief Adrian Bersamin, Ombusman Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday, citing a pattern of activities they allegedly made to defraud the government.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Remulla disclosed that Bersamin, a grandnephew of resigned executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, had been on his radar for a long time, dating back to the ombudsman’s stint as chief of the Department of Justice.

“My first supposition here is it’s a conspiracy to commit plunder, if not, malversation, depending on the facts that they got. But now, it’s evidentit’s like conspiracy to commit plunder,” Remulla said.

He described the case as “plunder with a conspiracy angle sewn in among people who decided, who took liberties with the money of the people.”

“It’s a conspiracy to defraud the government,” he added.

Remulla said he had long suspected Bersamin’s activities, citing instances when the latter allegedly interfered in official matters.

He recalled past disagreements with the executive secretary regarding the younger Bersamin’s actions, particularly an incident involving appointments not sought by Remulla’s office.