Nur Misuari skips arraignment for graft over P77-M textbook scam

Former Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari missed his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan on Friday in connection with the P77-million textbook scam allegedly done during his time as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Only lawyer Robert Callos represented Misuari at the Third Division courtroom, despite court rules that require a defendant to be present even if the formal reading of charges is deferred.

Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang rescheduled the arraignment to February 27 also "due to pending incidents."

Misuari faces two counts each of graft and malversation for giving undue advantage to CPR Publishing House, MBJ Learning Tools, and White Orchids for the procurement of "ghost textbooks" from 2000 to 2001 during his term as ARMM governor.

He and his co-accused also allegedly falsified procurement documents to justify the legality of the P77.26-million contract.

Misuari sought the dismissal of his case last year, citing no evidence that can link him to the irregular transactions. He also raised the issue of inordinate delay.

The Sandiganbayan, however, denied Misuari's plea and urged him to present his defense in a trial. 

Misuari filed a motion for reconsideration on the Sandiganbayan resolution on January 14, reiterating that he should not be charged for a transaction finished when he was no longer ARMM governor.

Misuari said the scheme "consummated in 2003 and 2004" during the term of former Governor Parouk Hussin, noting he was detained during this time for rebellion.

He, thus, said it would be impossible for him to conspire with his co-accused while spending his days in jail.

"His main preoccupation will be how to get out of jail. In that situation, no rational man or woman will ever contemplate or entertain thoughts of getting involved in a conspiracy to get into another trouble," Misuari said.

"That is likewise clear as day that accused Nur Misuari did not receive any money or funds subject matter of the complaint as the demand payment was made when he was no longer performing the functions of the Office of the Regional Governor of ARMM," he added in the motion.

The prosecution filed its opposition on January 22, calling the appeal of Misuari full of "recycled arguments."

The prosecution said Misuari cannot deny his involvement to the transactions because he was the one who signed the vouchers facilitating the payment for the non-existent educational materials.

"It is clear that accused Misuari participated in the commission of the offenses charged in the sense that without his approval, the transactions subject of the cases will not push through," the opposition read.

Misuari is enjoying his temporary freedom after posting a P460,000 bail bond in Davao City September 2017. —NB, GMA News