Ex-Agusan del Norte mayor pleads guilty to purchase of overpriced fertilizers

The former mayor of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte has pleaded guilty in her case at the Sandiganbayan over her alleged purchase of overpriced fertilizers in 2004.

In a decision dated January 25, the Second Division found former Mayor Percianita Racho “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” for failure to render accounts and ordered her to pay a fine of P6,000, with subsidiary imprisonment in case of non-payment.

The sentence came after Racho, through her legal counsel Henry Filoteo, informed the Sandiganbayan of her intention to be re-arraigned and enter a guilty plea in exchange for withdrawal of the graft charge.

The prosecution did not object to the manifestation of Racho, prompting the Sandiganbayan to allow the arraignment anew.

“Accused Racho, assisted by Atty. Filoteo, informed the court that she understands the nature and cause of the charge against her, and entered a plea of guilty to the lesser offense of violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code,” the Sandiganbayan said in the decision penned by Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr.

Racho was indicted for graft in 2016 for awarding to Feshan Philippines the contract for the purchase of 2,000 liquid fertilizers at P1,500 per piece without the conduct of a public bidding and indicating a preferred brand name, in violation of procurement rules.

The prosecution said Racho caused undue injury to the government worth P2.75 million when the prevailing market price then was only P1,125 per piece and the delivered fertilizers were of inferior quality.

The Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against the co-accused of Racho, Feshan representative Lucio Lapidez, who remains at-large. —KG, GMA News