Alcala in graft raps over garlic ‘cartel’

The Office of the Ombudsman has found basis to charge former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala and other individuals with graft before the Sandiganbayan over an alleged garlic cartel.

Also facing indictment were former Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Clarito Barron, then-BPI division chiefs Merle Palacpac and Luben Marasigan and then-garlic traders Lilia “Lea” Cruz, Edmond Caguinguin, Rolan Galvez, Rochelle Diaz, Ma. Jackilou Ilagan, Jon Dino de Vera, Napoleon Baldueza, Jose Ollegue, Laila Matabang, Angelita Flores, Gaudioso Diato, Denia Matabang, Jose Angulo Jr., Raffy Torres, Mary Grace Sebastian, Renato Francisco, Rolando Manangan, Orestes Salon, Prudencio Ruedas and Shiela Marry dela Cruz.