Graft charges filed vs Lito Lapid in fertilizer scam

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday filed graft charges against Sen. Lito Lapid and five others for their alleged involvement in the 2004 fertilizer fund scam.

A case was filed on Wednesday against Lapid, Pampanga provincial accountant Benjamin Yuzon and provincial treasurer Vergel Yabut for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Ma. Victoria Aquino-Abubakar and Leolita Aquino, incorporators of Malayan Pacific Trading Corp. (MPTC) and Dexter Alexander Vasquez, proprietor of D.A. Vasquez Macro-Micro Fertilizer Resources were also charged for the scam.

The Ombudsman noted that the provincial government of Pampanga purchased 3,880 liters of Macro-Micro Foliar Fertilizer with irregularities and instances of fraud.

The purchase of fertilizer from MPTC allegedly did not undergo public bidding and the transaction was done with "inordinate speed."

"Vasquez applied for Product Registration with the Fertilizer Pesticide Authority only on August 15, 2005 after the transaction in May 2004 while MPTC has no Certificate of License to Operate and Product Registration," the court said.

MPTC received an estimated P4.8 million payment for the fertilizer worth P1,250 per liter, which is overpriced by at least P1,100 per liter or a total of P4.3 million.

The Ombudsman recommended a bail bond of P30,000 for each count of the alleged graft offense, according to a report.

Last September, two former governors, two former mayors and 20 other individuals were charged with graft for their alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

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