3 Sorsogon officials face graft raps for P728-M fertilizer fund scam

Three local officials from Sorsogon are currently facing graft charges for their alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, seven years after the case was brought to the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman filed two graft indictments before the Sandiganbayan on April 7 against Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee, provincial accountant Raul Hernandez and provincial treasurer Ofelia Velasco. The three officials allegedly caused undue injury to the government for approving the purchase of 2,133 liters of Bio Nature Liquid Fertilizer for P1,500 per liter from supplier Fenshan Philippines, Inc even though it only costs P180 per liter in the market. “It is evident that the province proceeded to purchase the fertilizer without conducting any price canvass and evaluation report," the Ombudsman resolution pointed out. The Ombudsman, however, did not include Fenshan executives Ma. Eunique Galang and Redentor Antolin in the case, citing insufficient evidence against them. The graft raps filed against the three Sorsogon officials were the first charges filed concerning the fertilizer fund scam even though the case first brought to the Office of the Ombudsman in 2004. The case involved P728 million allotted for the purchase of fertilizers for farmers in the country. However, the amount was allegedly diverted to the election campaign fund of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Incumbent Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is currently facing an impeachment case in Congress for her alleged inaction in the fertilizer fund scam and four other high-profile cases. – VVP, GMA News