Sandigan affirms fertilizer scam raps vs N. Cotabato lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan will proceed with the trial of North Cotabato second district Rep. Nancy Catamco in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.

In a resolution obtained by reporters yesterday, the anti-graft court’s fourth division found no merit in Catamco’s motion to stop the trial. The lawmaker claimed the Office of the Ombudsman failed to accord her the opportunity to defend herself during the investigation.

The court also disputed Catamco’s claim that she did not receive any notice of hearing or an order to submit a counter-affidavit before the ombudsman filed the case on May 17.

The ombudsman sent its order to Catamco at the office address of her company Perzebros Co. in Makati City, the court said. 

Catamco’s motion for a reinvestigation is prohibited under the Supreme Court’s Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial, the court added.

The fourth division also denied the motion to dismiss the case filed by the principal accused, former mayor Orville Fua of Lazi, Siquijor, for inordinate delay in the investigation.

The court said the two years and seventh months that the ombudsman spent in its investigation before filing the case should not be deemed as undue and inordinate delay.

The case stemmed from the Lazi municipal government’s award of a contract to Perzebros, which was owned by Catamco and her former husband Pompey Perez, for the supply of 1,866 liters of fertilizer in January 2005.

The ombudsman said Fua conspired with former municipal government officials in the award of the contract and release of payment to Perzebros despite anomalies in the procurement.