Misuari barred from leaving Philippines
The HDOs directed the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Misuari, former Department of Education-ARMM executive director Leovigilda Cinches, supply officer Sittie Aisa Usman, accountant Alladin Usi, chief accountant Pangalian Maniri and education program specialist Sherilyn Mustapha from leaving the country without permission from the third division of the anti-graft court. AP/Nickee Butlangan, file
MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has issued hold departure orders (HDOs) against former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Nur Misuari and five other former ARMM officials.
The HDOs directed the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Misuari, former Department of Education-ARMM executive director Leovigilda Cinches, supply officer Sittie Aisa Usman, accountant Alladin Usi, chief accountant Pangalian Maniri and education program specialist Sherilyn Mustapha from leaving the country without permission from the third division of the anti-graft court.
The former officials were indicted for multiple graft and malversation of public funds in September last year.
Nader Macagaan of the Commission on Audit, suppliers Lolita Sambeli of White Orchids, Cristeta Ramirez of CPR Publishing, Mario Barria of Esteem Enterprises and Ma. Lourdes Mendoza of Dunong Publishing were included in the charge sheet.
Citing the findings of the Commission on Audit, graft probers said the payment to five suppliers of textbooks and educational materials worth P137.5 million in 2000 and 2001 were irregular and made without public biddings.
Misuari allegedly approved the payment of P37.9 million for various educational materials; P46.2 million for a multi-media information technology package; P12 million for books on barangay democracy, anti-illegal drugs and multi-colored Philippine maps; P21.9 million for daycare school materials and P19.2 million for an information technology package for elementary and high school students.
The anti-graft court said it found “probable cause that the respondents conspired with one another while discharging their official functions with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence ...to rig the procurement.”
Misuari is also facing charges for rebellion and violation of Republic Act 9851 or the law on crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity for the siege in Zamboanga City in September 2013 that left over 200 people dead.
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