ShareThisQUEZON CITY – Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro has ordered the filing of plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Luis Ramon P. Lorenzo, Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, Assistant Secretary Ibarra T. Poliquit and other DA high-ranking officials in connection with the P728-million fertilizer fund anomaly.
Casimiro had earlier found probable cause to indict Lorenzo and Bolante, in conspiracy with other high-ranking DA officials, for plunder.
However, the respondents filed their separate motions for reconsideration (MRs). Such MRs were denied by the Acting Ombudsman.
Likewise, the MRs filed by former Quezon City Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza, former Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes and former Catanduanes Governor Leandro B. Verceles Jr. were also denied.
Charges for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” were ordered filed against them.
At the same time, criminal charges for malversation were filed against DA Regional Directors Cesar D. Rodriguez, Dennis B. Araullo, Ricardo D. Oblena, Leo P. Caneda, Oscar O. Parawan, Roger C. Chio, Sumail K. Sekak and Eduardo B. Lecciones Jr.
Casimiro also ordered the dismissal from the service of Poliquit, Oblena, Araullo, Caneda, Parawan, Rodolfo M. Guieb, Balagtas K. Torres, Abelardo Bragas, Felix Ramos, Ofelia Montilla and Gregorio Sangalang, all of the DA; and Rodolfo G. Malinana, Ireneo C. Del Rosario, Roger M. Pitajen, and Herbert DLS EvanGelista Sr., all officials of the provincial government of Catanduanes.