The Sandiganbayan declares former Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan guilty of graft and malversation of public funds.
In the 66-page decision, the Third Division of the anti-graft court found Ampatuan guilty of graft and malversation of public funds. Details cited that he spent ₱400 million in public funds, which were meant for the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in Maguindanao.
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“A review of the overwhelming documentary and testimonial evidence reveals evident bad faith on the part of accused Ampatuan,” the Sandiganbayan stated.
“The pieces of evidence clearly show that he deliberately orchestrated fictitious payments to various contractors and suppliers for the infrastructure projects which were not implemented,” it added.
Because of the graft and malversation conviction, Sajid Ampatuan is disqualified from holding any public office. He is also ordered to pay the government ₱393 million, “representing the value of the amount malversed.”
The entire case stemmed from the agreements the provincial government entered into with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in 2009. Despite the latter’s repeated demands to account for the funds, the Office of the Ombudsman said the respondents failed to submit any supporting documents.
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Counting the current case, Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan has been convicted by the anti-graft court six times since October 2022.
He was sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison for the first offense and life imprisonment for the second. Ampatuan also received a total of 28 years maximum for graft and malversation over the ghost procurements of food supplies amounting to ₱16.32 million.
In related news, the anti-graft court acquitted provincial auditor Danny Taki Calib of graft and malversation for the failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The prosecution was unable to prove that accused Calib appropriated, took, misappropriated or consented, or through abandonment or negligence, permitted another person to take them, as alleged in the subject Amended Information,” the Sandiganbayan explained.
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