Ex-Zambo del Sur solon charged with graft over P3.8-M fertilizer scam

Former Zamboanga del Sur 1st Dist. Rep. Isidro Real Jr. has been charged with graft before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misuse of P3.812-million in fertilizer funds.

Real and five officials of the Zamboanga Peninsula regional office of the Department of Agriculture were charged with one count of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The lawmaker allegedly endorsed Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation, Inc. (Mamfi) to implement his P5-million Farm Inputs/Farm Implements Program.

Mamfi is one of the bogus nongovernment organizations supposedly put by accused pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

The DA regional officials were accused of releasing the funds to Mamfi despite the lack of public bidding.

The fertilizers were also bought for P800 per 300-milliliter bottle, or P610 higher than the then-prevailing market price of P190 per bottle, claimed the charge sheet filed by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon.

The overpricing of the 6,250 bottles of fertilizer added up to P3.812 million in injury caused to the government.

Real’s coaccused were regional executive director Oscar Parawan, administrative chief Abundio Bernardo Jr., supervising agriculturist Samuel Simbajon, chief accountant Ma. Perlice Socorro Julian, and regional cashier Maribel Abdulbari. /atm