The Sandiganbayan has cleared six former Department of Agriculture (DA) officials from Mindanao who were charged in connection with the alleged misuse in 2004 of funds amounting to PHP4.91 million. In a 44-page decision dated July 28, the graft court's third division acquitted Romulo S. Palcon, regional technical director; Godofredo A. Ramos, administrative officer; Gilda Cordero- Panal, budget officer; Mariflor S. Garcia, regional accountant; Rita R. Retino, regional cashier; and Corazon M, Ebero, cashier; all from the DA Regional Field Unit XI (Davao Region) (DA-RFU-XI), 'for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.' The officials, who were then working under DA-RFU-XI Regional Executive Director Roger Chio, who died during the pendency of the case, were charged with giving unwarranted benefit or preference to suppliers Everland Agri Corporation, Mintal Fruit Nursery and Asian Hybrid Technologies in deals amounting to PHP 4.916,906 in public funds, which were entered into despite the absence of documents showing compliance with government procurement laws. The contracts were part of deals authorized by then undersecretary Jocelyn I. Bolante for 52,000 hills planting materials (mango), 3,076 bags of fertilizer, and 1,000 bags of yellow corn seeds. 'There was no showing that the winning bidders conspired or connived with any member of the Bids and Awards Committee or any of the accused or whether the accused themselves conspired between and among themselves. This alone casts doubt on the culpability of the accused for the crime charged,' the court said in acquitting them. Consequently, the Sandiganbayan ordered the recall of the Hold Departure Orders issued against the six former DA officials.

Source: Philippines News Agency