Ombudsman to get evidence on fertilizer fund scam

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee has gathered “tons” of evidence and documents enough to build an airtight case with the Ombudsman against key personalities implicated in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

“We have enough (evidence) to bring this (case) to the Ombudsman. There is tons of evidence, and we have heard testimony among witnesses that were presented by way of checks and reports,” committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said. 

“We warn the Ombudsman that there is enough evidence,” he said.

“In fact, we will serve hard evidence on a silver platter,” he pointed out.

Gordon also scored the Ombudsman for allegedly dilly-dallying on the issue, saying it has been almost three years since a joint committee led by Sen. Joker Arroyo and former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. submitted its recommendations. 

“It has been 1,056 days since the Arroyo and Magsaysay committee submitted its report on its investigation into the fertilizer project but the Ombudsman has yet to file graft charges or take action against any individual in connection with the controversy,” he said.

“I advise the Ombudsman not to tarry any longer because this will just open more questions that demand answers, and above all, demand what we call justice,” Gordon said. “Indeed, the people’s frustration is evident. People have become cynical and frustrated. People have now become angry,” he added.

Task Force Abono tasked by the Ombudsman to look into the fertilizer fund anomaly recommended in June 2006 the filing of graft charges against several officials led by former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, alleged architect of the scam.

Its investigators reportedly found that the purchased farm equipment was overpriced by as much as 200 to 300 percent, and that no public bidding was held in violation of the law.