Ex- South Cotabato mayor gets 10 years over fertilizer scamMANILA, Philippines — Former mayor Romeo Januto of Norala, South Cotabato and incumbent Vice Mayor Victor Balayon have been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in connection with the fertilizer fund scam. The case stemmed from the municipal government’s purchase of 1,000 boxes of organic fertilizer worth P1.8 million from private supplier RCS Trading in June 2004. The Office of the Ombudsman said the local officials conspired in giving unwarranted benefit or preference to RCS Trading with the procurement without public bidding. The court said the identification of a specific brand to be procured was also in violation of RA 9184. Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Ronald Moreno concurred with the ruling.

Source: Philippine Star October 19, 2019 18:56 UTC