More 'recipients' of fertilizer fund identified

MANILA, Philippines – Seventy-eight legislative districts in the country apparently received shares between P2 million and P10 million from the controversial P728-million fertilizer fund, which was released during the 2004 presidential election period.

In a resolution dated April 14 but was released only recently, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said the amount was released between March 17 and May 7 through sub-allotment advices signed by then Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante.

Casimiro pointed out that there are on-going probes on the possible involvement of some congressmen and local executive in the hotly contested deal, which was tagged as “Farm Input/Farm Implement Fund (FIFIF)” in the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“A separate investigation is still being conducted against named proponents in the Special Allotment and Release Order (SARO). These proponents are the elected public officials who were congressmen, governors or mayors,” Casimiro said in the resolution.

He said that there are 181 enumerated in the list. He said 76 proponents “did not receive any money,” but were included by Bolante in the list of recipients of the fertilizer fund.

Among the recipients included the names of Camarines Norte Rep. Renato Unico Jr. (P3 million), Siquijor Rep. Orlando A. Fua Jr. (P3 million) and Iloilo 2^nd District Rep. Augusto L. Syjuco Jr. (P5 million).

Also in the list are Albay Governor Jose “Joey” Salceda (P5 million) and Governor Abraham Kahlil Mitra of Palawan (P3 million).

The resolution showed that the first district of Iloilo, then represented by Oscar Garcin, received the biggest share P10 million. The amount was allegedly released in three installments -- P3 million, P2 million and P5 million -- through sub-allotment advices dated March 17, March 31 and April 16, all in 2004.

Bacolod City on the other hand supposedly received P8 million, delivered in two installments – P5 million on March 17, 2004 and P3 million on March 29, 2004.

It was cited in the resolution that the “the list” included 21 governors, a vice governor, and 11 mayors.

Also included were the names of former Batanes solon and now Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, and now Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Nachura.

“These initial cases picture the story of the scam insofar as some regions are concerned. While most regional directors of the Department of Agriculture are already included, the focus was made only on the liability of the DA senior officials. A separate investigation is being conducted against named proponents in the SARO,” Casimiro said in the resolution.

He said graft probers will include the names mentioned above in the list of respondents for plunder before the Sandiganbayan anytime this week.