The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Liaison Officer Socorro F. Natividad on the irregular purchase of P16.5 million worth of rescue kits in 2003.
Natividad and then Disbursing Officer Serda I. Hassan-Bangsa were sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment, with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
They were also ordered to pay Geneve S.A. Philippines P5 million, the balance of the purchase price of the GPI Rescue Kits.
Bangsa’s motion to reconsider her conviction had earlier been denied by the Sandiganbayan.
They were charged in the purchase of 60 medical emergency kits at P275,000 each or a total of P16.5 million from Geneve S.A.
Bangsa and Natividad, together with then ARMM Gov. Parouk S. Hussin and Acting Accountant Ricardo B. Luna, paid 50 percent of the P16.5 million purchase price even without public bidding. For lack of funds, ARMM incurred an outstanding obligation of P8.25 million.
The case against Hussin and Luna has been archived. They have not turned themselves over to the anti-graft court for the court to gain jurisdiction over their persons.
Because ARMM had no funds available for such purchase, it incurred an outstanding obligation of P8.25 million to Geneve S.A. Complainant Senen Arabaca was then partially paid twice, leaving a balance of P5 million.
In her motion for reconsideration, Natividad said the 60 GPI rescue kits were procured due to the urgency of the situation and paid from the Special Purpose/Calamity/Emergency Fund.
She pointed out that there was no act of conspiracy because she merely performed her duty of approving the disbursing voucher.
The Sandiganbayan denied the motion. It said: "Taken together, the overt acts of accused Natividad, Hassan-Bangsa, and Hussin point to a joint purpose and design, concerted action, and community of interest, which is the processing and approval of the disbursement vouchers and purchase order for the down-payment of the GPI Rescue Kits to Geneve without public bidding, available funds, and incomplete documents."
"In addition, partly because of the said deficiencies, they and the ARMM failed to pay the balance of the purchase price amounting to P5 million," the resolution – written by Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda with the concurrence of sixth division Chairperson Sarah Jane T. Fernandez and Associate Justice Kevin Narce B. Vivero -- stated.