Sandiganbayan finds probable cause to hold Lito Lapid on trial

By ELIZABETH MARCELO, GMA News

Published November 23, 2015 5:46pm

The Sandiganbayan First Division has ruled to proceed with the trial of the graft charges against Sen. Lito Lapid in connection with his alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

“After perusing the information and evaluating the resolution of the prosecutor, the evidence in support thereof and the records of the preliminary investigation attached thereto, the Court finds that sufficient grounds exists for the finding of probable cause,” the court said in a one-page resolution dated November 9, a copy of which was released to the media only on Monday.

In the resolution, the court also ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant against Lapid and five of his co-accused.

However, in the morning of November 9, Lapid and his co-accused, each posted the P30,000 bail bond in exchange for their temporary liberty.

Thus, First Division clerk of court, lawyer Estella Teresita Rosete, said there is no longer a need for the issuance of the arrest warrant against them.

Hold departure order

Meanwhile, following its determination of probable cause to hold Lapid and his co-accused on trial, the First Division also directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to bar them from leaving the country.

“Considering the case/cases filed against hereunder named accused…the Bureau of Immigration is hereby directed to hold the departure of the following accused…who are barred from the country except upon prior approval of this Court,” the Fourth Division said in a hold departure order (HDO) issued also on November 9.

Lapid and his five co-accused are facing a case of violation 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.

Based on the information of the case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman early this month, the purchase was made without holding a public bidding. The Ombudsman further alleged that the purchased items were 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 fund for the DA program, which aimed to extend agricultural assistance for poor farmers, were allegedly diverted as campaign kitty of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for 2004 elections.

Lapid earlier denied the allegation and said he is prepared to answer the charges in court. — RSJ, GMA News

Tags: litolapid, fertilizerfundscam