Ex-Iloilo lawmaker faces raps over mobile phones

MANILA, Philippines -  The Sandiganbayan Third Division will proceed with the trial of former Iloilo congresswoman Judy Syjuco and former officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications over the alleged ghost purchase of mobile phones amounting to P5.9 million in 2005.

In a 24-page resolution released on Thursday, the anti-graft court denied the motions of the respondents to dismiss the graft and malversation of public funds charges filed against them for lack of merit.

“The court finds substantial basis to support the finding of probable cause in these cases and…hold them for trial,” the resolution penned by Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang read.

The Sandiganbayan ordered the arrest of former bids and awards committee chairman Domingo Reyes Jr.; BAC vice chairman Elmer Soneja; BAC members Rebecca Cacatian, Ildefonso Patdu, Jr., Geronimo Quintos and Venancio Santidad; inspector Marcelo Desiderio Jr., technical inspector Danilo dela Rosa as well as Domingo Samuel, Jonathan Ng and Antonio Cruz of West Island Beverages.

Syjuco had posted bail before the court ordered her arrest.

Fertilizer scam

Meanwhile, Alberto Acain, former mayor of Libertad, Misamis Oriental, was charged with two counts of graft in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.

Former municipal engineer Oscar Benlot, treasurer Lucia Almene, civil registrar Isidro Gervacio, budget officer Elizabeth Pagalan and assessor Sergio Jacalan Jr. as well as Ricardo Mendoza Jr. and Ma. Lourdes Mendoza of Green’s International Enterprises were included in the charge sheet.

Based on the information of the cases, Acain conspired with the other respondents to procure 3,666 liters of liquid fertilizer worth P4.999 million without public bidding.

The ombudsman set the bail at P60,000 each.