Poro’s ex-mayor to face Sandigan for arraignment

For now, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) cannot compel incumbent officials of Poro, Camotes to recover the P5 million lost in a fertilizer scam back in 2004.

DILG 7 Director Rene Burdeos issued that statement after being informed that Poro’s ex-mayor Edgar Rama, Rep. Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, and her ex-husband Pompey Perez were indicted for two counts of malversation of public funds and one count of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The three put up P110,000 as bail liberty last May 22, 2018. The Sandiganbayan ordered them to appear for arraignment and pre-trial on June 22, 2018.

The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) had filed the case, which alleged that the three and other former Poro officials connived in using P5 million in municipal funds to buy Vitacrop liquid fertilizer at P1,500 per bottle. The correct price was P408 per bottle, which meant the purchase was overpriced by P1,092 apiece.

Aside from the three, the OMB also filed one count of graft against former Poro officials, namely, Vice Mayor Ronald Carcellar and Councilors Gorgonita Gonzales, Sergio Zurita, Nilo gorgonio, Gregorio Durog, and William Surbano.

Not in Congress yet

When the deal was consummated, Congresswoman Catamco was known as Nancy Perez, a private person representing the Vitacrop seller, Perzebros Company, together with her husband Pompey (now her ex-husband).

OMB investigators said the procurement of liquid fertilizers was done despite the lack of public bidding and even if Perzebros had been operating for less than two months, as shown in the articles of incorporation attached to the charge sheet.

Sandiganbayan Sixth Division Associate Justices Sarah Jane Fernandez, Karl B. Miranda, and Kevin Narce Vivero earlier affirmed there was probable cause against Rama, Catamco, and Perez.