THE Office of the Ombudsman filed on Friday graft raps against Butuan City Mayor Leonides Theresa Plaza and eight other officials before the Sandiganbayan for their involvement in the fertilizer fund scam.
Also facing trial are ex-vice mayor Angelo Calo, Salvador Satorre, Adulfo Llagas, Arthur Castro, Rodolfo Evanoso, Bebiano Calo, Danilo Furia and Melita Loida Galbo.
Butuan received P5 million in 2004 as part of its allocation for the implementation of the farm inputs and farm implements program of the Department of Agriculture.
To implement the project, Plaza signed an April 14, 2004 document covering the procurement of 3,333 bottles of liquid organic fertilizer costing P1,500 per liter.
A week later or on April 22, 2004, Plaza, et. al. awarded the project to Feshan Philippines Inc.
Also on the same date, Feshan was paid its first installment of P3.1 million with the remaining balance of P1.7 million paid on May 31, 2004.
The Commission on Audit issued a notice of disallowance observing that local officials committed blatant procurement violations, such as the unlawful resort to Direct Contracting without complying with the requirements of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform, reference to specific brand names; overpricing as suitable substitutes selling at lower prices were available in the local market.
The CoA found fertilizers of the same quality costs only P125.00 per liter.