Lapid posts P30,000 bail in graft case

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Lito Lapid yesterday posted a P30,000 bail to avoid detention over the fertilizer fund scam.

Lapid faces graft charges before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged anomalous purchase of overpriced liquid fertilizers amounting to P4.761 million when he was governor of Pampanga about 10 years ago.

His lawyers accompanied Lapid to the First Division of the anti-graft court.

Lapid’s co-respondents are provincial accountant Benjamin Yuzon and treasurer Vergel Yabut,  Malayan Pacific Trading Corp. incorporators Ma. Victoria Aquino-Abubakar and Leolita Aquino, and D.A. Vazquez Macro-Micro Fertilizer Resources proprietor Dexter Alexander Vasquez.

The six connived with each other in the purchase of 3,880 bottles of fertilizer at P1,250 per one-litter bottle using funds of the Department of Agriculture under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program, according to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The transaction was done without public  bidding, the anti-graft agency added.

“We will answer the charges,” Lapid said.

“This case has been here a long time ago. I don’t know why they are filing it just now. But I am prepared to answer the charges.”