MANILA, Philippines — Former Romblon governor Eleandro Jesus Madrona and five other former provincial officials were charged by the Office of the Ombudsman over their alleged involvement in the 2004 fertilizer fund scam.
Madrona and the other respondents were charged with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly giving “unwarranted benefits, privilege and advantage” to private supplier Feshan Philippines Incorporated.
Based on the information of the case filed by the ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan on August 1, Madrona, in conspiracy with the other provincial officials, awarded to Feshan in 2004 the contract for the supply of 3,333 bottles of Bio Nature organic liquid fertilizer at P1,500 per bottle or a total of P4,863,823.
Graft investigation and prosecution officer Marius Fitzgerald Veloso said the purchase was done through direct contracting instead of through a public bidding required under Republic Act 9184 of the Government Procurement Reform Act “thereby depriving the government the opportunity to get the most advantageous offer/price.”
Named as Madrona's co-accused in the case were former officials namely; then provincial administrator Joel Sy, provincial treasurer Ruby Fababeir, provincial agriculturist Geishler Fadri, senior agriculturist Oscar Galos and assistant head of the Government Department under the General Services Office Anthony Rugas.
Also named as respondent in the case was Feshan representative Elisa Morales.
The ombudsman recommended to the Sandiganbayan to set the respondents' bail bond at P30,000 each.