GAB chief faces graft, malversation raps over fertilizer fund scam

Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chief Abraham Mitra is facing graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.

Mitra and his 11 co-accused are facing one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and one count of malversation of public funds for allegedly paying a total of P3 million of the fertilizer fund to Gabay Masa when he was the representative of the second district of Palawan for the implementation of the farm implements program even if it was an unaccredited non-government organization (NGO).

According to the case information sheets submitted by the Ombudsman to the Sandiganbayan, Mitra chose and accredited Gabay Masa as the collaborating NGO to implement the P3-million farm implements program for the second district of Palawan in 2004 despite its lack of qualifications under Commission on Audit Circular No. 96-003.

Thereafter, he immediately approved and and transferred P1.950 million to the NGO upon the approval and signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dated March 10, 2004— equivalent to 65 percent of the P3-million fertilizer fund— even if the MOA only specified that 20 percent of the allotment would be transferred when the agreement was inked.

Mitra subsequently approved and transferred the final release payment of P1.050 million to Gabay Masa, in violation of the agreed tranches in MOA and despite the NGO’s failure to submit and comply with the required reportorial requirements and conditions as specified in the MOA.

Also charged along with the GAB chief are: Executive Director Dennis Araullo, Regional Accountant Raymundo Enriquez Braganza, Legislative Coordinator Lucille Odejar, Regional Technical Directors Balagtas Torres and Gregorio Sangalang of the Department of Agriculture; and Gabay Masa Board of Trustees members Margie Tajon Luz, Concha Inay Idica, Ma. Cristina Jimeno Vizcarra, Caridad Tajon, Melencio Punzalan and Rodolfo Luz.

Section 3(e) of the R.A. No. 3019 is committed by a public officer who directly or indirectly requests or receives any gift, present, share, percentage or benefit for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law. —ALG, GMA News