Lito Lapid posts P30k bail bond for graft case involving fertilizer fund

Sen. Lito Lapid on Monday posted P30,000 bail bond before the Sandiganbayan First Division in exchange for his temporary liberty for his graft case in connection with his alleged involvement in the fertilizer fund scam.

 

Arriving together with his lawyers, Lapid immediately proceeded to the office of the clerk of court of the First Division to undergo a booking procedure.

 

A receipt from the Sandiganbayan Cashier Division revealed that Lapid posted the P30,000 bail bond in cash.

 

Lapid is facing a case of violation of of Sections 3 (e) and 3 (g) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for the alleged anomalous purchase of overpriced liquid fertilizers amounting to P4.761 million without holding a public bidding.

 

The Office of the Ombudsman, who filed the case last week, said the purchased items were also overpriced by as much as P4.268 million.

 

The offense was allegedly committed by Lapid and his co-accused sometime in May 2004 during his term as Pampanga governor.

 

The money for the purchase of the questioned items supposedly came from the P728-million funds of the Department of Agriculture for its Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program.

 

The funds for the DA program, which was earmarked to extend agricultural assistance to poor farmers, were allegedly diverted as campaign kitty of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the 2004 elections.

 

In a short interview after appearing before the First Division, Lapid said he is prepared to answer the charges in court.

 

"We will answer the charges. Matagal na itong kaso na ito, ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngayon lang nila ito ifinile," Lapid said.

 

"But I am prepared to answer the charges," Lapid added.

 

Last month, Lapid filed his certificate of candidacy to run for mayor of Angeles City in the 2016 elections.

 

He posted the bail bond even when the First Division has yet to determine if there is probable cause to hold him and his five co-accused on trial for the charges. Thus, no arrest order has yet been issued against them by the court. —KG, GMA News