Ex-Rizal Gov. Ynares appeals denial of bid to reinvestigate overpriced fertilizer case

Former Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares Jr. has urged the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its decision junking his bid for a reinvestigation of his graft case.

The camp of Ynares filed a motion for reconsideration before the court's Third Division on April 8, appealing that he be granted a leave of court anew.

Ynares reiterated the ruling of the Court of Appeals may be considered as a new evidence that may lead to the lack of a probable cause against him and former assistant department head Romulo Arcilla Jr.

"Accused Ynares and Arcilla are not moving for the dismissal of the above-captioned case but is respectfully soliciting this honorable court to allow the reinvestigation of the case by referring the newly discovered evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman," the motion read.

"If the pieces of evidence and admissions made before the Court of Appeals are reevaluated and reexamined by the Office of the Ombudsman, it may find that there is no probable cause to indict herein accused," it added.

Ynares and Arcilla allegedly entered into a contract with Feshan Philippines for the supply of a total of 2,455 bottles of organic fertilizer worth P3.23 million in 2004 and 2005 without the conduct of a public bidding.

The prosecution said they still pushed with the purchase despite proof other suppliers offered the same fertilizer at a lower price.

However, Ynares said the CA found nothing illegal with the contract. He said the absence of a public bidding for the purchase of Bio Nature fertilizers is justified because only Feshan Philippines met the requirements mentioned in the purchase request of the local government.

Ynares said this same decision from the CA led to the dismissal of his administrative case, thus questioning why the criminal case pushed through.

The Sandiganbayan, in the resolution assailed by Ynares, said the former governor only professed his innocence without citing specific grounds for a reinvestigation.

The Sandiganbayan also said the dismissal of an administrative case does not bar the filing of its criminal aspect in court. —LDF, GMA News