The Office of the Ombudsman charged two former governors and two former mayors with graft in connection with the P728-million fertilizer fund scam in 2004. The announcement was released to the media by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
The politicians who were charged by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales were former Masbate governor Antonio Kho, former Rizal governor Casimiro Ynares Jr., former Butuan City mayor Leonides Theresa Plaza and former Buenavista, Agusan del Norte mayor Percianita Racho charged with graft and violation of procurement rules for the overprized fertilizers.
Ombudsman Morales also ordered dismissed for grave misconduct and dishonesty 11 officials who consequently lost their retirement benefits and disqualified from again working in government.
Aside from the above-mentioned politicians, the Ombudsman also charged four private suppliers with graft. During the past few years several officials were earlier implicated in the scam when funds purportedly for farm inputs and implements were released to local officials shortly before the May 2004 presidential elections.
Based upon the records, the Masbate provincial government reportedly received P5 million from the Department of Agriculture in April 2004 and former governor Kho approved the purchase of liquid fertilizers from Hexaphil at P700 per bottle worth P5 million.
The Rizal provincial government also received P5 million in April 2004 under the DA’s Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program and former governor Ynares approved the purchase of 2,455 bottles of liquid fertilizer at P1,500 each from Feshan Philippines Inc. which was found to have an expired license.
