2 ex-guvs face raps over P728-M fertilizer fund scam

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted two former governors and other local officials of Rizal, Masbate, Butuan City and Agusan del Norte, for their alleged involvement in the P728 million fertilizer fund scam.  

 

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales directed the filing of graft and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act against ex-Masbate Governor Antonio Kho, and former Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares Jr. 

 

Other local executivies charged with similar cases are former Masbate provincial administrator Roger Rapsing;  ex-Butuan City Mayor Leonides Theresa Plaza; city agriculturist Salvador Satorre; city treasurer Adulfo Llagas; assistant city treasurer Arthur Castro; general services officer Rodolfo Evanoso;  accountant Bebiano Calo; city budget officer Danilo Furia; supply officer Melita Loida Galbo; ex Buenavista, Agusan del Norte Mayor Percianita Racho; Danilo Rumbawa, officer in charge-Provincial Agriculturist and Bids and Awards Committee; BAC members Romulo Arcilla, Eugene Durusan,  Victorina Olea, Eduardo Torres, Danilo Collantes and Virgilio Esguerra. 

 

Representatives of private suppliers Alex Rivera, president of Hexaphil; Victoria Ajero, area manager and collector of Agriventures, Inc.; and Lucio Lapidez, and Mallyne Araos, both of   Feshan Philippines, Inc. are also facing graft charges. 

 

Aside from graft charges, the Ombudsman also dismissed from the service Rapsing, Castro, Llagas, Furia, Galbo, Rumbawa, Almajose, Arcilla, Durusan, Olea, Torres, Collantes and Esguerra for grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

 

The case stemmed from the purported illegal disbursement of funds by local government officials which formed part of the P728 milion fertilizer fund allocated for the implementation of the government's Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Program in February 2004.