Graft raps filed vs 18 in SRA scam

State prosecutors filed yesterday graft charges with the Quezon City regional trial court against two Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) officials, seven big-time sugar traders and nine SRA employees for illegally switching sugar quotas from 1992 to 1994.

Charged were Alberto Garde, manager III, and Alberto Lagtapon, manager I, both of the SRA's regulatory and enforcement division in Quezon City. Garde faces 10 counts of graft, his subordinate, four.

The two are among seven top SRA officials implicated in what is yet the biggest anomaly to have been uncovered in the 14-year history of the regulatory body.

They are accused of giving traders unwarranted benefits, to the injury of sugar planters and the public under Section 3 (e) of RA 3019. According to the Office of the Ombudsman, the traders allegedly pocketed some P800-million because of the anomaly.

The crime is punishable by a jail term of between six and 15 years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and the forfeiture of any unexplained wealth.

Three of the five other respondents -- former SRA Board Members Rodolfo Gamboa, a lawyer, Bernard Trebol, Jose Ma. Silva IV -- served with the agency from 1992 to 1994. The two other former top officials of the SRA linked to scam, Rolleo Ignacio and Froilan Abajon -- are accused of falsification of public documents and graft.

Ignacio served as SRA administrator from 1994 to 1996 while Abajon served as the SRA board secretary for the same period.