Ex-Palawan lawmaker indicted over fertilizer fund scam

MANILA, Philippines – Former Palawan congressman Abraham Khalil Mitra was charged with graft and malversation of public funds before the Sandiganbayan yesterday for his alleged involvement in the fertilizer fund scam.

Mitra was indicted in connection with the release and alleged misuse of P3 million in government funds.

Graft probers said Mitra and the Department of Agriculture regional field unit entered into a memorandum of agreement for a farm inputs and implements program for the second district of Palawan in March 2004, and released two checks amounting to P3 million to GabayMasa in April 2004.

The Commission on Audit said GabayMasa is not an accredited cooperative as required under Commission on Audit Circular 96-003, adding that it has no track record with regard the implementation of agricultural projects.

State auditors added that there were no liquidation reports to show how the funds were utilized.

DA-regional field unit officials Dennis Araullo, Gregorio Sangalang, Balagtas Torres, Lucille Odejar and Raymundo Braganza as well as Margie Tajon Luz, Concha Idica, Ma. Christina Vizcarra, Caridad Tajon, Melencio Punzalan and Rodolfo Luz of GabayMasa were included in the charge sheet.                

In a text message to The STAR,  Mitra said the charges were ”politically motivated.”

On claims that there was negligence in the choice of the non-government organization, he said ”GabayMasa was accredited by the Department of Agriculture and was found to have delivered in its supply contracts with other congressmen.”