THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the dismissal of a graft case filed in 2018 against former Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Isidoro Real Jr. on account of his death last February 1, 2022.
In a resolution released last April 5, the Seventh Division granted the motion filed by defense lawyer Paul Jumawan informing the court of the lawmaker’s death and asking that the case against him be dismissed.
Supporting the defense motion was a certification dated March 25, 2022 from the Pagadian City Registry Office notifying the court that the name of the late congressman has been entered into its Register of Deaths.
“In view of the foregoing, the motion to dismiss the case as against accused Real, Jr. and to release the cash bond posted for his temporary liberty is granted. Accordingly, the case as against accused Real, Jr. is hereby dismissed pursuant to Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code,” the court declared.
Based on the 2018 indictment issued by the Office of the Ombudsman, Real was accused of misuse of P3.812-million fertilizer funds released to his legislative district through the Department of Agriculture—Regional Office 9.
Graft investigators said the sum was entrusted to a non-government organization identified as the Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation, Inc. (Mamfi) linked to Janet Lim Napoles who is currently serving time for a plunder conviction related to the multi-billion pork barrel scam.
The Ombudsman said the money was used for the procurement of 6,250 bottles of liquid fertilizer at P800 per bottle compared to the prevailing market price of only P190 per bottle.
Government auditors added the transaction did not undergo the required public bidding.
