MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Francisco Mamba Jr. of Tuao, Cagayan and 10 other municipal government officials have been indicted in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.
In filing two counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan on April 5, the Office of the Ombudsman said Mamba conspired with his co-accused in giving “unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference” to Ramon Aytona of Feshan Phils. Inc., who was awarded a contract worth P4.9 million for the supply of 3,333 bottles of fertilizer at P1,500 each without public bidding.
Aside from Aytona, former mayor and incumbent Vice Mayor William Mamba, municipal administrator Frederick Baligod, municipal treasurer Rodolfo Cardenas, administrative assistants Merlina Dayag and Jose Palacpac, accounting clerk Anabel Turingan, agricultural officer Teresita Espinosa, agricultural technologists Leticia Acob and Petra delos Santos and clerk Juliana Filipina Padilla are the other respondents in the case.
Based on the charge sheet prepared by graft investigation and prosecution officer Alteza Añoso, the choice of the fertilizer and prices indicated in the purchase request and order were ”baseless and unjustified.”
“Accused’s failure to perform their duties...such as, but not limited to the periodic monitoring and evaluation to ascertain the proper utilization of the funds... ensured the award of the contract to Feshan,” the anti-graft agency said.
Bail for Aytona was recommended at P30,000. The other respondents were asked to post bail of P60,000.