The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of former Maguindanao governor and incumbent Vice Mayor Datu Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town on charges of graft and malversation of funds through falsification of public documents. Also affirmed was the conviction of former provincial agriculturist Mosibicak L. Guiabel for graft in connection with the P98.2 million “ghost purchases” of palay, corn, seeds and fertilizers in 2009. In its June 7, 2023 resolution, the anti-graft court denied the motions for reconsideration filed by Ampatuan and Guiabel on the court’s judgment of conviction promulgated on March 10, 2023. Ampatuan and Guiabel, together with former provincial budget officer Datu Ali Abpi Al Haj, were found guilty and graft and were sentenced to a jail term ranging from eight to 12 years.  They were also disqualified perpetually from holding public office. On malversation through falsification of public documents, both Ampatuan and Al Haj were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or a maximum of 40 years in jail.  They were also ordered to pay back the Bureau of Treasury a total of P98.2 million, the amount malversed. Their criminal charges arose from the “ghost purchases” of palay, corn, seeds, and fertilizers from Tamoni Enterprises on June 3, 2009. The anti-graft court found that they resorted to negotiated procurement and evaded the conduct of public bidding, therefore awarding Tamoni Enterprises with the contract even if the firm was not technically, legally, and financially capable to do so. In denying the motions of Ampatuan and Guiabel, the court said: "This Court is morally convinced that the totality of the acts of all the accused carved a grand ruse of simulating purchases, with each accused contributing their respective parts in achieving their ultimate criminal end.” The resolution denying the motions was written by Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno. Earlier, the Sandiganbayan had also affirmed the conviction of Ampatuan for eight counts of graft and eight counts of malversation of funds through falsification of public documents in the P20 million “non-existent road projects” during his term as governor. Ampatuan was sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to eight years for each count of graft, and from two to six years for each count of falsification.  He was also ordered to pay the province of Maguindanao P22 million and was fined P5,000 for each count of falsification. Under the rules, Ampatuan and those convicted may appeal their cases before the Supreme Court (SC).