Yap, PhilRice execs charged in anomalous P15.8-M car plan

Former Agriculture Secretary and now Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Former Agriculture Secretary and now Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap has been charged anew in the Sandiganbayan, this time over a car plan for employees of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) that was deemed disadvantageous to the government.

Yap was charged with one count each of violating Section 3(e) and 3(g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits to private parties.

The Ombudsman accused Yap and eight PhilRice officials of approving from 2008 to 2009 a car plan that allowed 10 employees to obtain personal loans from Philippine National Bank, which were secured with PhilRice’s own funds.

Named as Yap’s coaccused in the two graft cases were Ronilo Beronio, former PhilRice executive director; incumbent trustees Winston Corvera and Senen Bacani; and former trustees Johnifer Batara, Fe Laysa, William Padolina and Rodolfo Undan.

Also charged was trustee Gelia Castillo despite her having died. Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code extinguishes the criminal liability of an accused who dies while the case is pending.