The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division has denied for ‘lack of merit’ the appeal of Ombudsman prosecutors to reconsider the dismissal of the charges filed against Leyte Rep. Jose Carlos Cari and his mother, Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari, in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.
The Caris were earlier charged for the allegedly favoring a construction company in the bidding for the supply of P2.94 million worth of liquid fertilizers.
“After taking a hard look at the motion for reconsideration, we found it to be without merit as they have been squarely addressed in their Consolidated Comment/Opposition dated 22 September 2017 on the motion to dismiss [of the Caris],” the anti-graft court said in its a seven-page resolution dated April 30.
The Caris were accused of violating violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act for allegedly favoring the Castle Rock Construction, among other bidders, for the supply the 600 gallons of foliar liquid fertilizers without public bidding. Maricel V. Cruz