MANILA, Philippines — Graft charges have been filed against former Mayor Orville Fua of Lazi town, Siquijor province, six other officials and two private individuals for the alleged irregular purchase of fertilizers worth P4.9 million in 2004.
Aside from Fua, the Office of the Ombudsman also charged municipal accountant Ana Marie Leilani Monte; municipal treasurer/bids and awards committee (BAC) member Rose Marie Tomogsoc; BAC chair Ivan Marchan; former municipal engineer Natalio Jumawan Jr.; former private secretary Sue Agnes Castillon; and former municipal coordinator Teodoro Jumadla.
The two private respondents were Yolanda Milne and Merlyn Lu of Mangopina Trading Co. Inc., based in San Pablo City, Laguna province.
The Ombudsman said the officials conspired with Milne and Lu to purchase 2,096 bottles of MRG liquid fertilizer, which cost P1,550 per bottle, and 1,258 bags of DEL GRO super foliar fertilizer, which cost P1,550 per bag.—Jhesset O. Enano