Ex-Maguindanao Gov. Ampatuan guilty in P79.7-M graft, malversation charges

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Maguindanao Gov. Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan, now vice mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, and former provincial Budget Officer Datu Ali Abpi Al Haj of graft and malversation charges in the “ghost” purchases of food supplies worth P79.7 million in 2009.
Ampatuan was found guilty in four counts each of graft and malversation through falsification, while Al Haj was found guilty in five counts each of graft and malversation through falsification of public documents.
For their graft conviction, they were sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to eight years for each count with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
In a separate malversation charge, they were meted out penalties of reclusion perpetua (jail term ranging from 20 to 40 years) and were both ordered to pay P29.8 million, P30.3 million, and P12.8 million which are equivalent to the amount malversed.
In another malversation case, they were sentenced to a prison term ranging from 14 to 18 years and ordered to pay a fine of P6.6 million equivalent to the amount malversed.
The decision was written by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith A. Econg with the concurrence of First Division Chairperson Efren N. Dela Cruz and Associate Justice Arthur O. Malabaguio.
On April 30, 2009, Ampatuan and his co-accused procured rice, sardines, brown sugar and dried fish from Nestor Merchandise amounting to P29,851,833, the prosecution said.
On June 30 and Aug. 28, also in 2009, they procured the same food supplies from H&S Merchandise amounting to P30,341,878 and P12,875,658, respectively. Lastly, on Sept.30, 2009 they again bought P6,681,675 worth of food supplies from Isulan & General Merchandise.
The prosecution was able to prove during trial of the cases that there were no purchases made.
The charges against the other co-accused -- Provincial General Services Officer Kasan Macapendeg, Provincial Administrator Norie Unas, and Provincial Engineer Officer-in-Charge Landap Guinaid – had been dismissed on account of their deaths.
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