Sandiganbayan (File photo) MANILA - The Sandiganbayan has cleared a former Department of Agriculture (DA) official of graft arising from the alleged embezzling of more than PHP5 million for the purchase of fertilizer nearly two decades ago. The court's Second Division acquitted former DA-Region 4A director Dennis Araullo, who was charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act after the Commission on Audit found anomalies on the PHP728-million Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Project (FIFP) under the DA "Masaganang Ani" program. Araullo allegedly could not liquidate PHP5.61 million of the PHP94-million fertilizer funds in March 2004. The charges said Araullo transferred the questioned funds to beneficiaries, proponents and/or suppliers of dubious existence or legitimacy, in violation of state audit rules. Araullo claimed there was no unliquidated amount since the balance from the FIFP fund was already reverted to the Bureau of Treasury. "All things c
Former Malabon-Navotas representative Ricky Sandoval has been cleared of graft and technical malversation charges by the Sandiganbayan in connection with his office’s allegedly questionable purchase of a shredder worth P3 million.
Sandiganbayan (File photo) MANILA - The Sandiganbayan cleared a former Batangas lawmaker and regional officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) of graft charges arising from the purchase of farm equipment 18 years ago. The anti-graft court acquitted former Batangas Fourth District Rep. Oscar Gozos in the 2004 contract for the purchase of farm equipment worth PHP3 million under the DA's "Ginintuang Masaganang Ani" program, according to a 23-page decision dated June 24. Also cleared were DA-Batangas District regional executive director Dennis Araullo and field unit personnel Juvylee Obice, Raymundo Braganza, Abelardo Bragas, Felix Ramos, Ofelia Montilla, and Remus Villanueva. They were charged by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan in 2011 following the findings and recommendation of a Senate inquiry in 2005. The program, also known as the PHP728-million farm input fund, aimed to modernize and develop the agricultural sector. The purchase was through direct contrac
Sandiganbayan (File photo) MANILA - The Sandiganbayan cleared a regional accountant of the Department of Agriculture (DA) implicated in alleged irregularities in the procurement of PHP3 million worth of fertilizer in Romblon in 2004. The anti-graft court acquitted DA-Regional Field Unit IV (DA-RFU IV) accountant Raymundo Braganza of corruption and malversation charges. "The Court finds no evidence to support the claim that accused Braganza made any false statements when he certified the subject ALOBS (allotment and obligations slips) or that he had knowledge of or was complicit in any acts of falsification or malversation as charged," read the decision on March 4 and uploaded recently. In 2014, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict a number of officials, led by then congressman Perpetua Ylagan of the lone district of Romblon, as well as DA-RFU officials led by executive director Dennis Araullo, Braganza, budget officers Ma. Nieves Nabor and cashier Dory Iranzo, and Gro