Ombudsman moves to question Lorenzo, others involved in fertilizer fund scam

The Office of the Ombudsman (OmB) will summon former Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo and involved personalities in the alleged fertilizer scam to shed light in its on-going inquiry.

The development came after the OmB’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) filed on Friday a Supplemental Complaint Affidavit, which included Lorenzo as among those who should be subpoenaed.

The affidavit named respondents in the case as Lorenzo and former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc’ Bolante for violation of Article 217 of the RPC (Malversation of Public Funds of Property) and Sec. 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); and Belinda and Emma Gonzales for violation of article 220 of the RPC (Technical Malversation) and Sec. 3 (e) and (g) of RA 3019.

Bolante was also charged for Violation of Art 171 of the RPC (Falsification by Public Officer) and violation of Sec. 3 (b) of RA 3019.

Other respondents include former Assistant Secretary Ibarra Poliquit, Regional Directors Reinerio Belarmino Jr., Gumersindo Lasam, Cesar Rodriguez, Dennis Araullo, Ricardo Oblena, Leo Caneda, Oscar Parawan, Roger Chio, Sumail Sekak and Eduardo Lecciones, Jr. for Violation of Sec 3(a) of RA 3019; Jaime Leonzon Paule, Marilyn Araos, Joselito Flordeliza, Marites Aytona and Jose Barredo for Violation of Sec. 3(b) of RA 3019; and Leonicia Marco-LLarena, Deonilla Misola-Gregorio and Redentor Antolin for Violation of Sec 3 (e) of RA 3019.

Belarmino, Lasam, Rodriguez, Araullo, Oblena, Caneda, Parawan, Chio, Sekak, and Lecciones also allegedly violated Paragraphs A.2 (Neglect of Duty), A.3 (Grave Misconduct) and C.3 (Reasonable Office Rules and Regulations), Sec. 52 of Resolution No. 991936 entitled “Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.’’

Poliquit, along with Bolante was also charged with Technical Malversation and Violation of Sec 3(e) of RA 3019 and with Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Based on the affidavit, the regional directors were included as respondents “for having followed Bolante and for having preferred suppliers.’’

Lorenzo was charged for allegedly giving Bolante a free hand in the disposition of the funds, while the latter was charged for having allegedly prepared a list of proponents.

In an earlier complaint filed by the Task Force Abono of the OMB-FIO, the following were charged with Technical Malversation, Violation of Sec. 3(e) and (g) of RA 3019, and for Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service under Section 46, Chapter 7, Title I, Book V of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987): CArmencita Reyes, Araullo, Balagtas Torres, Juvylee Obice, Rodolfo Guieb, Mari Paz Jazmine Cabucol, Raymundo Braganza, Abelardo Bragas, Felix Ramos, Ofelia Montilla and Gregorio Sangalang.

Nanette Daza, Federico Sandoval II, and Oscar Gozos were also charged with Technical Malversation, and Violation of Sec. 3(e) and (g) of RA 3019.

Moreover, private respondents Linus and Remus Villanueva; Phydias Bañez; Fernando Gallarte; and Frederico Quevedo were charged with Violation of Sec 3 (e) and (g) of RA 3019.

The taskforce conducting a fact-finding investigation into the Fertilizer Fund Scam is still trying to identify other personalities involved in the anomaly, it was learned.

Earlier, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Gordon submitted its Report on its investigation to the OmB to augment existing documents on the case. (SM)

Source: MB