Iloilo mayor indicted for graft over P999k fertilizer fund mess

The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted Calinog, Iloilo Mayor Alex Centena for graft before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly entering into an anomalous contract for the purchase of liquid fertilizers in 2004.

Based on the charge sheet, Centena is charged with violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Centena is accused of taking advantage of his official position when he "willfully, unlawfully, and criminally" gave unwarranted benefits to Feshan Philippines Inc. for the purchase of 666 bottles of Bio Nature Liquid Fertilizers worth P999,000.

The Ombudsman said the contract with Feshan was sealed through direct contracting and without complying first with the mandatory public bidding as required under procurement rules, therefore causing undue injury to the government.

Then-municipal officials Valentin Sobretodo, Meriam Celeste, Crispino Castro, Jose Rex Casipe, Melanie Hilario, Rhoda Lyn Panizales, Jose Edeso Enriquez, and Anna Lerio Caspillo were also defendants in the case.

Feshan representative Jose Barredo Jr. was the sole private respondent.

A bail bond of P30,000 has been recommended for each of the accused. — MDM, GMA News