The Sandiganbayan has denied the plea of former acting general manager of Tugaya Water District in Lanao del Sur to remain on bail despite his convictions for graft and malversation of public funds.

Denied was the motion of Jamaloden H. Faisal who, in June 2023, was sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to 10 years for graft and reclusion perpetua (from 20 to 40 years imprisonment) for malversation.

On top of imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold public office, Faisal had also been ordered to pay a fine of P10.07 million and to return P10.07 million to the Bureau of Treasury.

The Sandiganbayan said the sentence of reclusion perpetua in his malversation charge has automatically cancelled the grant of bail.
Also, the anti-graft court said that since Faisal failed to appear during the promulgation of the decision, he had lost standing in court and therefore waived his right to file a motion for reconsideration. Thus, the judgment against him had become final and executory, it said.

His motion for reconsideration had been denied.  Undaunted, he filed a motion to remain on bail even on an increased amount.

He told the court that his advanced age and sickly condition have made him less mobile.  He said he was not aware of the promulgation because he was residing in “a war-torn area” and that he had been infected with Covid-19. He also said that his previous counsel had long withdrawn from the case.

His allegations were junked by the court in a resolution issued last Jan. 29.  The resolution was written by Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez.

Faisal spearheaded the water supply improvement project of Tugaya Water District and made it appear that the construction of the water project was implemented and partly accomplished. However, the prosecution was able to prove that the project was never implemented since it was fictitious and non-existent.

Despite the irregularities, Faisal was able to liquidate the amount of P10,074,680 through the Physical Accomplishment Report as of July 2011. The amount was received by Faisal from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).