Acquittal in Cagayan Fertilizer Fund Scam Case
A private individual linked to the alleged P5 million fertilizer fund scam in Cagayan in 2004 has been acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The Sandiganbayan ruled that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in this high-profile case.
Ramon A. Aytona of Feshan Phils., Inc. was acquitted. He was one of several accused, including former Cagayan congressman Francisco N. Mamba Jr., Tuao town mayor William N. Mamba, and nine other officials. The graft charges against the Mambas and other town officials were dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2022, leaving only Aytona’s case for resolution by the anti-graft court.
Details of the Fertilizer Fund Scam Case
The graft accusations centered on the purchase of 3,333 bottles of BIO-NATURE Liquid Organic Fertilizer from Feshan Phils., Inc. at P1,500 per bottle, totaling P4,999,500. According to reports, the purchase was made without public bidding, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the procurement process.
Authorities noted that the choice of BIO-NATURE fertilizer was questionable because it lacked a project proposal, report, work program from the proponent, or a market survey to justify the purchase. These gaps called into question the necessity and transparency of the procurement.
Legal Arguments and Court Decision
During the trial, the prosecution presented the counter-affidavit of a witness who implicated Aytona as the person responsible for preparing the pro-forma purchase order, disbursement voucher, and official receipts. Despite this, the court rejected the affidavit due to the legal principle known as res inter alios acta, which prevents one party’s rights from being prejudiced by the actions or statements of another.
The court explained, “Since the Counter-Affidavits were executed by the accused public officials and employees of the municipality of Tuao, Cagayan, accused Aytona’s former co-accused herein, during the preliminary investigation of this case, the same cannot prejudice the rights of accused Aytona.”
Ultimately, the court found reasonable doubt in Aytona’s guilt, stating, “On reasonable doubt, therefore, the scales of justice tilted in accused Aytona’s favor.” This decision was penned by Associate Justice Gener M. Gito and concurred by Associate Justices Zaldy V. Trespeses and Maryann E. Corpus-Mañalac.
Implications and Final Notes
The ruling concludes a long-standing case tied to the fertilizer fund scam in Cagayan, highlighting challenges in proving corruption allegations without solid evidence. Sources familiar with the matter say that the decision underscores the importance of due process and the burden of proof in graft cases.
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