The Ombudsman has filed a graft case against a former lawmaker from Mindanao and several agriculture department officials for their alleged involvement in the fertilizer fund scam in 2004.
The Ombudsman filed one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act against former Rep. Isidoro Real Jr. of Zamboanga del Sur at the Sandiganbayan.
Charged with Real are then-Department of Agriculture Western Mindanao regional executive director Oscar Parawan, DA regional chief administrative officer Abundio Bernardo Jr., supervising agriculturist Samuel Simbajon, chief accountant Ma. Perlice Socorro Julian, and regional cashier Maribel Abdulbari.
Real and his co-accused allegedly gave unwarranted benefits to Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. for the implementation of the former lawmaker's Farm Implements Program.