Ex-Quirino mayor indicted for unlawful agri equipment purchase

The former mayor of Aglipay, Quirino has been charged with graft at the Sandiganbayan over the alleged unlawful purchase of agricultural equipment worth P2.79 million.

Prosecutors from the Ombudsman's special panel for the fertilizer fund scam indicted former mayor Leonard Martin Sr. for one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Former municipal treasurer Maritoni Eustaqio, municipal accountant's office officer-in-charge Gilvern Manzano, municipal supply officer Reynante Pastor, Agri-Component Corporation (AGRICOMP) representative Elpideo Colobong Jr., and AGRICOMP head Elmer Baquiran also face the same charge.

Between May 2004 and June 2006, Martin and his co-accused public officials allegedly conspired with each other when they entered into a contract with AGRICOMP through direct contracting.

The contract is for the purchase of one unit of Kubota Tractor 4WD Model 90000DT worth P2.09 million, one unit of AGRICOMP Harrow Model 10x10 frame worth P180,000, two units of dumping trailer double tire valued at P220,000 each, a Multi Crop Thresher worth P121,000, and one set of maintenance tools valued at P59,000.

However, the prosecution said no public bidding was conducted for the contract as mandated by the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Martin and his co-accused also failed to conduct the necessary steps in the conduct of direct contracting as provided under Volume 2 of the Manual of Procedures for the Procurement of Goods and Services.

The prosecution added that the respondent public officials facilitated the payment to AGRICOMP "despite the attendant irregularities in the procurement process, thereby causing undue injury to the Municipality of Aglipay, Quirino."

A bail bond of P30,000 has been recommended for each of the accused's provisional liberty. —KG, GMA News