Fertilizer scam: No cause for plunder vs Jocjoc, Cito

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has not found enough evidence to proceed with the charge of plunder against former Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo and undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante for their alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Magistrates of the anti-graft court’s Second Division, however, decided not to junk the charges and gave the Office of the Ombudsman 60 days to provide additional evidence against the accused, who were officials of the previous administration.

While there may be no plunder, the Sandiganbayan believes that a crime was still committed based on the anti-graft agency’s accusations that Bolante misused and misappropriated public funds, which Lorenzo supposedly allowed.

Both were indicted in June 2011 for allegedly giving
unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to parties for the Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Project (FIFIP) under the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA).

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also investigated for alleged involvement but the Office of the Ombudsman, in a resolution issued last May 2, 2014, cleared her of any liability.