Sandigan junks P47.4-M graft case vs former agri chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan junked yesterday a P47.4-million graft case against former agriculture secretary Luis Ramon Lorenzo Jr. arising from his alleged involvement in a swine program anomaly in 2004.

In its ruling, the anti-graft court’s First Division said there was nothing anomalous in a supply contract awarded to a private firm under the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor)’s Swine Program.

Lorenzo, through a motion, questioned the filing of the graft charge against him in July last year based on allegations of wrongdoing just because no public bidding was held for the contract.

“The Court finds the accused-movant’s motion to be impressed with merit,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The court said the Office of the Ombudsman had erred in finding criminal liability for the former Cabinet official and Quedancor.

“Even if the program was eventually proven unsuccessful, the Court is convinced that this was an honest to goodness swine program which had gone wrong in its execution or implementation,” the anti-graft court’s 14-page decision read.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the filing of graft charges against Lorenzo, alleging “undue injury” to government as a result of anomalies as defined by Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The questioned supply contract was awarded to Metro Livestock Inc. Under the contract, Metro Livestock was to supply inputs like breeding stock of hogs, gilts, feeds and medicine as well as provide technical assistance.

Among those charged were Quedancor president and chief executive officer Nelson Buenaflor as well as board members Wilfredo Domo-ong, Romeo Lanciola, Nellie Ilas and Jesus Simon.

The ombudsman, after an investigation, said that based on a Commission on Audit (COA) report, Metro Livestock failed to deliver supplies amounting to P47,465,614 in 2005 despite receiving advance payment from Quedancor.

However, the Sandiganbayan said the transaction was aboveboard and stressed that public bidding is not required for “transactions of government financial institutions in the ordinary course of business.”