Acosta said the case, where he was accused of misusing his pork barrel fun in 2000 and 2001, in his first term as Bukidnon’s 1st district representative to Congress, has “nothing to do with my present official positions.”
He reiterated his complying with the suspension order does not mean admission of guilt, adding he is just adhering to the fundamental principle that all public officers must be held accountable at all times.
Acosta said he did not want to drag the Office of the President and LLDA into any controversy.
He told MindaNews that he pondered on challenging the court order or seeking a temporary restraining order but he decided to let it be.
But Acosta said his work on protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development continues.
He said his commitment will not waver to help the cause of protecting or rehabilitating ecosystems around the country and speak on the challenges of addressing climate change impacts during his 90-day suspension.
The Bukidnon Crusade against Graft and Corruption, which claimed to be an anti-corruption group, sued Acosta for allegedly using his pork barrel funds to give a P2.5-million solar tunnel dryer to the municipal government of Manolo Fortich in 2001, where his mother, Socorro, was mayor.[]
The group also alleged that another P2.5 million was transferred to the Bukidnon Integrated Network of Home Industries (BINHI) Inc., and P5.5 million to Bukidnon Vegetable Producers Cooperative (BVPC), also a private entity.
The accusers pointed out that Mayor Acosta was a member and director of BVPC while Acosta’s aunt, Ma. Nemia Bornidor, was a member of the board of BINHI.
In December 2011, government prosecutors filed a motion before the Sandiganbayan that Acosta be suspended until the three graft charges against him are resolved.
In a six-page motion filed on December 5, 2011, special prosecutors Rabendranath Y.[]
