Ex-Eastern Samar lawmaker faces raps over fertilizer scam

MANILA, Philippines -  The Office of the Ombudsman has approved the filing of charges against former Eastern Samar congressman Marcelino Libanan in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said graft probers found probable cause to indict Libanan and 11 other former provincial officials and private individuals over the procurement of 4,328 bags of fertilizer amounting to P6.1 million.

Former governor Clotilde Salazar, agriculturist Jesus Agda, accountant Vener Dulfo, bids and awards committee chairperson Vilma Bormate, vice chairperson Necitas Ponferrada and BAC members Samson Nervez and Manuel Japson will be included in the charge sheet. 

The ombudsman said AKAME Marketing International owner and general manager Edilberto Apostol as well as employees Cecilia Apostol, Mary Jane Fabian and Kevin Ed Apostol would also be indicted.

Investigation showed the provincial government bought NBEM-21 Microbial Inoculant Soil Activator in March and April 2004 through direct contracting instead of public bidding.

“Respondents’ manifest partiality is more evident when they procured fertilizers… from a non-licensed company,” the court said.