Sandiganbayan raffles off Acosta graft case

MANILA, Philippines - The P10.5-million graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against former Bukidnon congressman Nereus Acosta and his mother has been raffled off to the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jesus Micael said the anti-graft court is expected to issue a warrant of arrest against the former lawmaker before scheduling his arraignment.

Acosta and his mother Socorro, a former mayor of Manolo Fortich town, stand accused of allegedly defrauding the government of P10.5 million in public funds.

His maternal aunt, Ma. Nemia Bornidor, a member of the board of trustees of the Bukidnon Integrated Network of Home Industries Inc. (BINHI), is also a respondent in the case.

Micael said three other graft complaints filed against Acosta last Feb. 25 have also been raffled off to the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division chaired by Associate Justice Gregory Ong.

Acosta’s case involves the alleged illegal transfer of a P2.5-million solar tunnel dryer from the town of Talakag to Manolo Fortich and its subsequent use and management by BINHI, which is a private entity.

The complaint also accused him of allegedly releasing P2.5 million in public funds to BINHI as well as P5.5 million to the Bukidnon Vegetables Producers Cooperative, another private entity.