MNLF faction head Jikiri charged with graft

Former Sulu Gov. Yusop Jikiri, who currently chairs a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), has been charged in the Sandiganbayan with graft and malversation in connection with the 2004 fertilizer fund scam.

Ombudsman prosecutors accused Jikiri and three others of paying P3.25 million to Rim Allied Merchandise for 4,643 bottles of Exquisite BD fertilizer and soil conditioner despite the lack of public bidding.

Irregularities cited by prosecutors include the lack of participation by the province’s bids and awards committee, the issuance of the purchase order ahead of the availability of the budget, the “complete lack” of any project proposal or financial plan and the approval of an unnumbered disbursement voucher.