Casimiro Ynares Jr.

Ynares Center walkout

In 2001, Laura Elorde, widow of boxer Flash Elorde, urged the Sports Press Photographers Association of the Philippines to reconsider a boycott of boxing events at Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal. The boycott was prompted by an incident where photographers, covering Manny Pacquiao's fight, were barred from ringside by security for obstructing VIP views, including that of then-Governor Ynares, leading to some verbal attacks and eventually the walkout. Elorde emphasized the significance of media coverage for boxing and warned that a lack of exposure could harm the sport's future in the country.^[11]

Involvement in fertilizer scam

In 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Ynares on his alleged involvement in the ₱728 million Fertilizer Fund scam of 2004.^[12] He then issued a statement welcoming the Ombudsman's probe on his alleged involvement, noting, "This will give us the opportunity to bring out the truth at the proper forum,” and says that he trusts the country's justice system and is confident that he and his colleagues "shall be vindicated."^[13]

On February 6, 2017, Ynares was then charged with four counts of graft by the Ombudsman related to alleged overpricing of fertilizers bought by the Rizal Provincial Government in 2004 and 2005. According to the Ombudsman's investigation, Ynares entered direct contracts with Feshan Philippines without public bidding, resulting in inflated costs. Ynares and nine other officials violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by favoring Feshan, causing gross disadvantage to the government.^[14]

In 2019, the Sandiganbayan denied Ynares's appeal to remand his graft case to the Ombudsman for reinvestigation. The court stated that Ynares and his co-accused had already been given a chance to appeal the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause related to the controversial purchase of ₱3.6 million liquid fertilizer without public bidding. The court cited rules stating that after filing a motion for reconsideration, the accused could not file for reinvestigation. The Supreme Court further prohibits motions for reinvestigation if a preliminary investigation has been conducted and if the grounds involve credibility and admissibility issues.^[15]

Ynares was then acquitted on October 7, 2022, by the Sandiganbayan Third Division, including former officials of the Rizal Provincial Government, of graft charges related to allegedly overpriced Bio Nature Liquid Organic Fertilizers worth ₱1.8 million and ₱1.7 million from 2004 and 2005. The court found the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, noting insufficient evidence of overpricing and lack of a Commission on Audit disallowance. Consequently, the court ordered the release of bail bonds and lifted travel restrictions on the accused.^[16]