Ex-Leyte mayor faces graft raps over fertilizer scam

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday announced the filing of graft charges against a former town mayor of Leyte for his alleged involvement in the 2004 fertilizer fund scam.

Former Barugo mayor Juliana Villasin will be indicted for the illegal procurement of fertilizers worth P1.87 million.

Former municipal accountant Aluino Ala and municipal agriculturist Reynaldo Bodo were also named respondents in the case.

Ombudsman probers said Villasin and her co-respondents authorized the purchase of 3,900 liters of Fil-Ocean liquid fertilizers from Bals Enterprises through direct contracting.

The Commission on Audit said there were irregularities in the procurement, noting that there was no public bidding, referral to the bids and awards committee, reference to specific brand names and verification regarding the qualification and eligibility of the supplier.

State auditors also discovered that there was prior agreement between the respondents and Bals Enterprises before the invitation to bid was published.

Records show that it took the supplier only 48 hours to deliver the fertilizers in Leyte even though its company was in Quezon City.

“The fertilizer was only suitable for vegetables … It was useless to achieve the project’s objectives, which was improved rice farming system and production enhancing techniques,” ombudsman probers added. – With Ricky Bautista