The Sandiganbayan has convicted former chancellor Taha Guro Sarip of the Mindanao State University Buug Campus (MSU-Buug) of graft and malversation of public funds for using P94,957.15 in school funds for the repairs of his personal vehicle in 2011 and 2012.

Sarip was sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to seven years for graft and from one year to three years for malversation. He was also barred perpetually from holding public office.

The anti-graft court did not impose any civil liability on Sarip since he had restituted the university of the amount he spent for his vehicle.

The court set aside Sarip's defense that he used the school's funds for the repairs since he was using his personal vehicle for his official travels.

"He (Sarip) did not present any travel order, or any evidence to show that his Toyota Innova vehicle was used on the dates of his official travels," the court said. 

Even assuming that the vehicle was indeed used for official travels, the court said that there was no evidence on record that would prove that the vehicle had to be repaired because it was damaged in the course of its use during official travels, it also said.

On Sarip's claim of good faith, the court said: "Contrary to accused Sarip's claim of good faith, the evidence on record would show that he was aware of the illegality of the disbursements."

"The Court finds that accused Sarip acted with evident bad faith when he knowingly approved the disbursements for the repairs and maintenance of his personal vehicle. Accused Sarip took advantage of his official position to gain in dishonest ways." the court ruled.

The 33-page decision was written by Sixth Division Chairperson Associate Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez with the concurrence of Associate Justices Karl B. Miranda and Kevin Narce B. Vivero.