Ex-Maguindao governor Ampatuan convicted

For 144 cases of graft, malversation, falsification

MANILA, Philippines — Former Maguindanao governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan has been convicted in the 144 cases filed against him before the Sandiganbayan in connection with alleged anomalous transactions that the provincial government entered into in 2009.

Sandiganbayan Sixth Division chairperson Sara Jane Fernandez ordered Ampatuan’s arrest after he failed to attend the promulgation of the decision on Thursday.

Ampatuan’s lawyer Glen Michael Nuestro had moved for the deferment of the promulgation to next week, saying his client could not attend the proceedings because he was suffering from acute gastritis.

The court said Ampatuan and former provincial bids and awards committee member Ali Abpi were found guilty of four counts each of graft and malversation of public funds.

The two were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for each count of graft and a maximum of 18 years  for each count of malversation of public funds. They were also perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

The court imposed a fine of P62.182 million and P67.194 million, respectively, which is equivalent to the amount of public funds found to have been malversed.

The court said Ampatuan and Abpi should likewise return P62.182 million and P67.194 million, respectively, as civil liability with an interest rate of six percent per annum until fully paid.

The two were also found guilty of 136 counts each of falsification of public documents. They were sentenced to up to seven years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of P5,000 for each count.

The case stemmed from the disbursement of P72.256 million for the supposed purchase of materials for the repair of school buildings in the province.

The ombudsman said the suppliers of construction materials were fictitious or non-existent.

The court said Ampatuan must surrender within 15 days for him to avail of legal remedies.

The Sandiganbayan ordered Ampatuan’s arrest last month after he failed to attend the promulgation of the decision on the graft and malversation charges filed against him in connection with other anomalous transactions he entered into in 2009.

He was sentenced to up to 112 years in prison for eight counts each of graft and falsification of public documents.