Sandigan suspends gov, mayor in alleged fund scams

Two allies of President Benigno Aquino III are on the dock for alleged involvement in
two corruption scandals.
The Sandiganbayan has suspended from office Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes
for her alleged role in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam and Lapu-Lapu City
Mayor Paz Radaza over alleged complicity in the misuse of the P15-million pork
barrel of former Cebu Rep. Clavel Martinez.
In its Oct. 15 ruling, the antigraft courts Second Division suspended Reyes for 60
days while she undergoes trial for the diversion of public funds intended for farm
inputs for poor farmers in 2004.
Reyes, who ran under the Liberal Party (LP) in 2013, opposed the suspension, saying
that it would only benefit her political rivals in the May 2016 elections. She argued
that her stay in office would not affect the case since the prosecution witnesses were
no longer connected with the provincial government.
The court, however, said the political considerations or factors being raised by
(Reyes) cannot override the mandatory character of the suspension that must be
observed by the court.
Prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman had charged Reyes with funnelling P5
million in fertilizer funds to the purchase of a shredding machine and other agriculture
equipment without a public bidding.
The amount was part of the multimillion-peso Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program
during the Arroyo administration.
Meanwhile, the antigraft courts Fifth Division meted out a 90-day suspension on
Radaza and three other local officials in connection with the misuse of P15 million in
Priority Development Assistance Funds (or pork barrel) of Martinez in 2001.
Also suspended were Cebu Board Member Celestino Martinez III and Bogo City
Councilors Rhett Minguez and Cresencio Verdida.
At the time, Celestino was mayor of Bogo town, while Radaza, who is seeking
reelection next year under the LP, was municipal treasurer. Marlon Ramos
Reaction:
This is where the Sandiganbayan comes in. It doesnt matter whether Reyes political
rivals will be the only ones who will benefit her suspension, she is still involved in the
corruption that was executed. I hope that after the suspension was given,
Sandiganbayan will pursue a case against Reyes to have justice for the corruption she
did.