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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Rep Ocampos of Misamis Occidental, 2 others on misuse of P2.1-M PDAF in 2013

Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Rep Ocampos of Misamis Occidental, 2 others on misuse of P2.1-M PDAF in 2013

Published Jun 11, 2025 02:38 pm
The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Misamis Occidental congressman Loreto Leo S. Ocampos and two others in three criminal cases involving the misuse of the former legislator’s P2.1 million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) in 2013.
Aside from Ocampos, also convicted were private individuals Josefina C. Candole and Jamie Ann P. Linsangan. They were found guilty of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of documents.
The decision, handed down last June 10, was written by Associate Justice Edgardo M. Caldona with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith A. Econg and Associate Justice Arthur O. Malabaguio.
For graft, those convicted were sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to 10 years with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. They were also ordered to return to the national treasury the P2.1 million illegally disbursed.
For malversation, they were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from four years, two months and one day as minimum to 10 years and one day as maximum. They were also ordered to pay a fine of P2.1 million.
For falsification of documents, they were meted out a prison term of two years, four months and one day to eight years and one day, and ordered to pay a fine of P5,000.
In filing the charges against them, the prosecution told the anti-graft court that the accused unilaterally chose and endorsed Rich Islas de Filipinas Foundation, Inc. (RIDFFI) through representatives Candole and Linsangan as "project partner" in the distribution of 350 business starter kits for livelihood on Basilan Native Chicken worth P2,100,000.
The court ruled that the livelihood development project was "altogether a sham," and Ocampos, Candole, and Linsangan made it appear that the projects were properly undertaken and completed.
It also said that Ocampos exercised control over his PDAF funds, while Candole and Linsangan "assumed direct control over the implementation of the livelihood project of accused Ocampos and became conduits for the ultimate misappropriation of the funds that were intended to finance the livelihood development project."
It added that the prosecution was able to prove during trial that their collective efforts enabled the deceptive scheme of implementing a fake project. As a result, the three accused were able to misappropriate public funds "for their own illicit benefit."
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