The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested Mary Ann Maslog, the suspect in the ₱24-million textbook scam in 1998.
NBI agents received complaints regarding one ‘Jessica Francisco’ and took immediate action. Further investigation soon reveals that she is a fraud through fingerprint matching.
“As far as she is concerned, ang alam ng Sandiganbayan, patay na siya. But nung may mag-reklamo sa amin about Dr. Jessica Francisco…we found out that Mary Ann Maslog and Jessica Francisco are the one and the same person,” said NBI Director Jaime Santiago during a press briefing.
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Apart from the NBI’s fingerprint checks, one of Maslog’s relatives confirmed her true identity.
The scam involved two Department of Education (DepEd) officials processing and approving documents for a ₱24-million supply contract. The contract favored Esteem Enterprises, a company Maslog represented.
Maslog and the two officials were later charged with graft concerning the textbook scam. While the former representatives have received their punishment, Maslog fled the country and is currently hiding in the United States.
Additional reports have confirmed that she and her spouse have also committed multiple financial crimes in the US. She avoided her sentencing further by faking her death.
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“The lawyer manifested that Mary Ann Maslog ay patay na. Syempre kapag ganyang hearing, they will present proof that she’s already dead. From there, naniwala ang Sandiganbayan natin na she’s already dead,” said Santiago.
Authorities are investigating her potential involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator firms following her recent arrest.
The NBI has also mentioned that Maslog has allegedly met with dismissed Mayor Alice Guo to discuss a Pangasinan project. However, they added that Maslog didn’t share any details.
“We cannot get information kung hindi niya ibibigay. We respect her constitutional right regarding that matter. So far, wala kaming nakuhang information…Her counsel is always there assisting her,” said Santiago.
The Bureau also added that the Sandiganbayan issued another arrest warrant against Mary Ann Maslog on Tuesday afternoon after the latter had already posted her bail.
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