Strong evidence to convict ex-Cebu town mayor — Sandigan

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has found strong evidence against former mayor Celestino Martinez III of Bogo City in Cebu, who was indicted for graft  in connection with  the fertilizer fund scam.

“After a careful study of the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the prosecution, the court finds that if unrebutted the same is sufficient to support a verdict of guilt,” a resolution of the anti-graft court’s sixth division read.

The court has denied Martinez’ motion to file a demurrer to evidence, which would have allowed him to seek the dismissal of the charges without presenting his defense.

The sixth division said Celestino could still file his demurrer, but subject to the condition that he would submit the case for judgment based solely on the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2016, the case stemmed from the city goverment’s release of P6 million to non-government organization Sikap Yaman Foundation for the supposed implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Program in May 2004.

The ombudsman said the project, which involved the procurement of fertilizer for rice and corn, was awarded to Sikap Yaman despite its lack of qualifications and accreditation under a Commission on Audit circular.

The ombudsman said Martinez also failed to monitor and determine the status of the project, the utilization of the fund as well as receipt of the fertilizer by its beneficiaries.

Former city treasurer Rhett Minguez was included in the charge sheet.