Misuari trial for graft, malversation suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman will reinvestigate the charges recently filed against Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari.

In a resolution issued last Dec. 6 and released yesterday,  the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division ordered the suspension of the trial of Misuari and his co-accused to pave the way to another preliminary investigation.

“Let the proceedings...be held in abeyance until the prosecution shall have complied with the court’s resolution,” the resolution read.

In its Nov. 23 resolution also released yesterday, the Sandiganbayan granted Misuari’s motion to reinvestigate the charges filed against him.

Misuari was charged with three counts of graft and three counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents over the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials and kits for public schools amounting to P115.2 million in 2000 and 2001 when he was governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The prosecution is given a  non-extendible period of 60 days from notice hereof within which to conclude the...preliminary investigation...and to submit the results thereof,” the court said.

The resolution was signed by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justices Bernelito Fernandez and Sarah Jane Fernandez.

In a motion filed on Nov. 3, Misuari sought a review of the charges, saying the ombudsman did not give him an opportunity to answer the allegations before filing the cases in court.

Misuari said he was “shocked” when he learned that he had been indicted and that a warrant for his arrest had been issued.

Misuari surrendered before the National Bureau of Investigation in Davao City on Sept. 19 and posted a bail of P460,000 before the Davao City regional trial court.

In filing the complaints, the ombudsman said none of the educational materials were delivered.

Graft probers said Misuari and five former ARMM officials falsified disbursement vouchers, purchase orders, canvass reports, sales invoices, delivery receipts and other supporting documents to make it appear that the transactions were above board.

Leovigilda Cinches, Department of Education-ARMM director; chief accountant Pangalian Maniri, supply officer Sittie Aisa Usman and accountant Alladin Usi as well as Commission on Audit-ARMM resident auditor Nader Macagaan were included in the charge sheets.

Cristeta Ramirez of CPR Publishing and Lolita Sambeli of White Orchids Printing and Publishing House were also named respondents in the cases.