Private supplier in fertilizer scam pleads guilty

MANILA, Philippines — A representative of a fertilizer supplier has admitted his guilt in connection with the 2004 fertilizer scam.

Feshan Philippines representative Lucio Lapidez, with the assistance of his lawyer, moved that his not guilty plea for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act be withdrawn and that he be rearraigned for a lesser offense, the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division noted in a decision promulgated on June 22.

The anti-graft court said the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution team did not object to the motion of Lapidez, who was rearraigned on the same day.

He pleaded guilty to failure to render accounts under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code and was ordered to pay a fine of P6,000 “with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.”

“According to the prosecution, the civil liability in this case has been settled. The court authorizes the release to accused Lapidez of the cash deposited as bail for his provisional liberty in the amount of P30,000,” the second division said.

Lapidez was originally charged with graft as co-accused of former mayor Percianita Racho of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

In 2019, Racho also pleaded guilty to failure to render accounts in exchange for the ombudsman’s withdrawal of the graft case filed against her.

Feshan Philippines was identified as the supplier of supposedly overpriced fertilizer to several local government units.

Up to P723 million in fertilizer funds was allegedly diverted to the campaign kitty of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 2004 presidential elections.

The ombudsman had earlier cleared Arroyo of any involvement in the scam.