Marlene Esperat, 46, was a chemist who became an anti-corruption activist and columnist for the Midland Review, a community paper in central Mindanao.
She was gunned down on March 24, 2005, at her home in Tacurong City while taking supper as her daughter and two sons watched in horror.
Before her death, she filed two dozen graft and corruption cases and other complaints of irregularities against local and national officials before the Ombudsman and other quasi-judicial bodies.
These cases include the P432 million fertilizer scam involving former Department of Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, former National Food Authority Administrator now PMS head Arthur Yap, and many other key DA officials.
She was also instrumental in furnishing vital information on the P728 million fertilizer scam, which led the Senate to cite Bolante in contempt and seek his arrest. (Source: Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility)