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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 ....

Batangas City , Raymundo Braganza , Juvylee Obice , Remus Villanueva , Ofelia Montilla , Abelardo Bragas , Dennis Araullo , Balagtas Torres , Felix Ramos , Gregorio Sangalang , Oscar Gozos , Department Of Agriculture , Batangas Fourth District , Batangas District , Sandiganbayan File Photo Manila The Cleareda Former Batangas Lawmaker And Regional Officials Of Department Agriculture Da Graft Charges Arising From Purchase Farm Equipment 18 Years Ago Anti Court Acquitted Fourth District Rep Oscar Gozos In 2004 Contract For Worth Php3 Million Under 39s Quot Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program , Ccording Toa 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 , Nd Remus Villanueva They Were Charged By The Ombudsman Before Sandiganbayan In 2011 Following Findings And Recommendation Ofa Senate Inquiry 2005 Program , Lso Known As The Php728 Million Farm Input Fund , Imed To Modernize And Develop The Agricultural Sector Purchase Was Through Direct Contracting , Ot Public Bidding The Court Said Prosecution Failed To Show That Government Could Have Gottena Better Deal For Four Tornado Chopper Farm Equipment From Suppliers Or Dealers Other Than Lcv Design , The Inventor , Nd Exclusive Distributor The Prosecution Also Failed To Prove That Other Entities Make Same Machinery Substitute Equipment At Time Of Procurement Or Machine Can Be Bought From Sub Dealers Lower Prices Cases Against Two Accused Who Are Large ,