Ex-CDO lawmaker gets 10 years over fertilizer scam

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced former Cagayan de Oro City representative Constantino Jaraula to up to 10 years in prison for graft in connection with the 2004 fertilizer scam.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

In a 77-page decision promulgated on July 8, the court's Second Division has found Jaraula guilty of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, a provision that prohibits a public official from giving unwarranted benefits to a private party or from causing any party, including the government, undue injury.

Aside from Jaraula, also found guilty of the same offense were three former officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 10 - budget officer Reina Lumantas, accountant Claudia Artazo and regional technical director Joel Rudinas.

Likewise, found guilty of the same offense was private respondent Evelyn de Leon, president of the non-government organization (NGO) Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI).