MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has found former Maguindanao governor Datu Sajid Ampatuan guilty beyond reasonable doubt of graft and malversation of public funds involving PhP 400 million intended for the construction and rehabilitation of 22 farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in 2009.
In its 66-page decision promulgated on October 18 and shared Monday, the Sandiganbayan sentenced Ampatuan to up to 40 years in the malversation charge and ordered a fine and restitution totaling PhP 786 million.
He was sentenced to up to 12 years for the separate charge of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Two of Ampatuan’s co-accused, provincial treasurer Oscar Bandila and provincial accountant John Dollosa, remain at large.
A fourth co-accused, provincial auditor Danny Calib, was acquitted.
According to the prosecution, Bandila downloaded the amounts by way of cash advances, but failed to submit documentary reports and liquidation documents relative to the disbursements.
“Here, the cash advances incurred for the subject FMR projects should have been liquidated in 2009 or 2010. However, accused Ampatuan failed to liquidate the case advances despite repeated demands from COA (Commission on Audit),” the court said.
“Accused Ampatuan, using his position and employing an unlawful scheme, was able to misappropriate the amount meant for the construction, repair and rehabilitation of the subject 22 FMRs,” the ruling read. (PNA)