Former Sulu vice governor pleads guilty to SALN raps

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sulu vice governor Nur-Ana Sahidulla and her husband, former Banguingui town mayor Abdulwahid Omar Sahidulla, have been sentenced to one year in prison for failing to declare their property in their joint statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

The Sandiganbayan promulgated the ruling on Feb. 12 after the accused withdrew their earlier plea of not guilty.

The anti-graft court said the Office of the Ombudsman did not object to the motion of the Sahidullas.

The couple pleaded guilty to one count each of violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and perjury as provided under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.

For the breach of conduct offense, the Sahidullas were ordered to pay a fine of P5,000 each. For perjury, they were sentenced from two months to one year in prison.

The cases against the couple stemmed from their failure to include in their 2009 SALN their two vehicles and two parcels of land.