The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Agriculture Secretaries Proceso Alcala and Bernie Fondevilla, along with 12 former Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) officials, of graft charges related to the 2010 purchase of pumps and engines worth about P147 million.
The court ruled that there was no clear evidence showing a coordinated effort among the accused to commit syndicate corruption.
The accused also included Elmer Baquiran and Eduardo Villamor of Agri Component Corp., the winning bidder for over 1,800 irrigation systems, who were also cleared.
Uldarico Andal, former BSWM inspection committee chair, was absolved posthumously.
The charges originated from a 2015 complaint by the Ombudsman alleging a rigged bidding process involving DA and BSWM officials.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 25, 2025
FORMER DA OFFICIALS AND 12 OTHERS CLEARED OF GRAFT BY SANDIGANBAYAN
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