MANILA, Philippines – Two members of the House of Representatives, a city mayor and a former lawmaker linked to the P728-million fertilizer fund scam were ordered yesterday by the Office of the Ombudsman to answer the graft and malversation of public funds charges against them.
All four respondents were given 10 days, or until Nov. 20, to submit their defense on charges of violation of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the Revised Penal Code.
Representatives Nanette Castelo-Daza of Quezon City and Carmencita Reyes of Marinduque, Lipa City Mayor Oscar Gozos and former
Malabon-Navotas lawmaker Federico Sandoval II allegedly used the money from the P728-million fertilizer fund to purchase shredders and shredding machines.
These were not included in the list of farm implements specified in the program, according to investigators.
Daza and Reyes received the order to file their counter-affidavits when Congress resumed session yesterday morning.
Reyes allegedly got P5 million from the fertilizer fund when she was governor of Marinduque, while Daza, Sandoval and Gozos each got P3 million as House members. The total fund released to the four was P14 million.
Earlier reports said 105 House members, 52 governors, one vice governor and 23 mayors were named as “proponents” of the project, according to a list submitted to the Palace by former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante.
The Office of the Ombudsman said Reyes, Daza, Sandoval and Gozos were the “initial respondents” in many cases involving the fertilizer fund scam.
The preliminary investigation covers five complaints involving some 40 out of 181 transactions under the project, officials added.
Meanwhile, Bolante, who is under the custody of the Senate, asked yesterday the Office of the Ombudsman to give him more time to answer the criminal charges against him.
His lawyer, Antonio Zulueta, filed a motion for extension seeking 10 more days to submit his client’s counter-affidavit.
They were still collating the documents to be included to counter the allegations against Bolante. They were not able to collect the needed documents due to Bolante’s health condition, Zulueta said.
Bolante is charged with graft and malversation of public funds before the Office of Ombudsman, along with 14 other officials and employees of the Department of Agriculture and five private persons.
All of them had already received orders to answer the charges.
The other 14 DA officials facing charges are: regional executive directors Dennis Araullo and Rodolfo Guieb, regional technical director for operation Balagtas Torres, accountant Juvylee Obice, chief accountant Marie Paz Jazmine Cabucol and regional accountant Raymundo Braganza, inspection officer Felix Ramos, Bids and Awards Committee members Ofelia Montilla and Gregorio Sangalang, and cashiers Grover Dino, Dory Iranzo and Lourdes Imperial.
The five private respondents were Linus Villanueva, Remus Villanueva, Phydias Banez, Fernando Gallarte and Frederico Quevedo.
Investigation into the fertilizer fund scam is expected to be completed by the end of next January.
The case arose from allegations of anomalies in the distribution of the P728-million fertilizer fund for farmers.
The Senate is reportedly set to reopen its investigation into the scam.
DA, DAR also received funds – Lacson
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday P1.646 billion more had been released to the DA and the Department of Agrarian Reform for the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program before the 2004 presidential elections.
A special allotment release order (SARO) in the amount of P1,101,391,000 was issued on Feb. 11, 2004 to the DA by the Department of Budget and Management and signed by then Secretary Emilia Boncodin.
The funds were broken down as follows: P767,948,000 for Ginintuang Masaganang Ani-Rice and Corn Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, and P334,443,000 for Ginintuang Masaganang Ani-Livestock MOOE (P315,156,000) and capital outlays (P19,277,000).
On April 27, 2004, another SARO was issued in the amount of P544 million (P494 million for MOOE and P50 million for capital outlays) to the DAR to cover for the implementation of the GMA Rice Program in coordination with the DA.
The amount was released to DAR officer-in-charge at that time, Jose Mari Ponce.
It would be important to come up with the names of those who received the funds and make them responsible for it, Lacson said. — Edu Punay, Aurea Calica