Jocjoc, Cito appeal plunder raps at Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines -  The indictment of former agriculture secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo and former undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante has been postponed after they asked the Office of the Ombudsman to reverse the finding of probable cause to charge them in the Sandiganbayan.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jesus Micael yesterday said the postponement aims to give the anti-graft agency time to resolve their motions for reconsideration.

“The motions for reconsideration were timely filed,” he said.

Micael said at least five were charged with plunder for alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund anomaly of 2004.

The pleadings were forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman for proper action, he added.

Micael said former assistant secretary Ibarra Poliquit sought a reversal of the resolution which was approved by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro.

Lorenzo and Bolante are named principal respondents in the plunder charge, he added.

The cases against other officials charged for involvement in the anomaly have already been filed before the Sandiganbayan, Micael said.

Last April 15, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of technical malversation charges against former lawmakers Nanette Daza, Oscar Gozos, Federico Sandoval, Carmencita Reyes, and agriculture regional director Dennis Araullo.

Facing charges of malversation of public funds are agriculture regional directors Gumersindo Lasam, Cesar Rodriguez, Ricardo Oblena, Leo Caneda, Oscar Parawan, Roger Chio, Sumail Sekak, Eduardo Lecciones Jr. and Araullo.

Based on the status of liquidation submitted by the DA, some P56.64 million of the P728 million in fertilizer funds transferred to the regional field have not been accounted for.

Bolante is accused of being behind the anomaly, while Lorenzo is faulted for giving him authority to handle a huge amount of money.