Sandiganbayan orders Nur Misuari's arrest

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari after finding probable cause in his graft and malversation charges over the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials during his term as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In an 18-page resolution promulgated on August 31, the Third Division based the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Musuari and former ARMM officials from the attached documents submitted by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The documents pertained to the requisition and issue vouchers, disbursement vouchers, and purchase orders worth P115 million, which were approved by Misuari from 2000 to 2001.

"The court finds that there is probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the accused. Let warrants of arrest be issued against accused Nur Misuari, Leovigilda Cinches, Pangalian Maniri, Sittie Asia Usman," the resolution said.

Warrants of arrest were also issued against Commissioner on Audit-ARMM resident auditor Nader Macagaan and private individual Cristeta Ramirez.

Misuary was charged with three counts each of graft and malversation through falsification for allegedly conspiring with his co-accused in giving "unwarranted benefits, advantage and privilege" to three private companies.

Ombudsman investigators found that "no such materials were delivered" by MBJ Learning Tools, CPR Publishing, and White Orchids Printing and Publishing House.

The Ombudsman also alleged that the respondents conspired to "take, appropriate or misappropriate" the said amounts by supposedly falsifying the corresponding procurement documents for the educational materials.

The Sandiganbayan had issued a hold departure order against Misuari and his co-accused. —ALG, GMA News