Sandigan drops nine counts of falsification vs. Sajid Ampatuan

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has dropped nine counts of falsification of public documents against Mayor Datu Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao over the grant of P77 million worth of construction and lumber materials to four suppliers during his term as Maguindanao governor a decade ago due to insufficient evidence.

In a 13-page Resolution granting Ampatuan’s demurrer to evidence or motion for dismissal of charges without presenting evidence for the defense due to apparent insufficient prosecution evidence, the anti-graft court noted that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses  Mila Lopez and Arnel Pascual of the Commission on Audit and the Parang, Maguindanao Treasurer did not prove Ampatuan’s participation in the grant of the contract to the four suppliers.

These testimonies, the Sandiganbayan said, only showed that the P77 million worth of payments for government contract were paid to nonexistent suppliers Andong Lumberyard and Construction Supply, Ismael Lumberyard and Construction Supply, Nasser Lumberyard and Construction Supply, and Iisman Lumberyard and Construction Supply.

Likewise, the anti-graft court cited that the letter dated August 11, 2010 from the Municipal Mayor of Parang, Maguindanao only confirmed that no business permits were issued to the four suppliers for 2008 to 2010.

In addition, the Sandiganbayan said that while Disbursement Vouchers, Purchase Requests and Purchase Orders would show that accused Ampatuan’s name was printed therein, but there is no signature above such printed name. Instead, there were unidentified initials below the printed name.

“There is nothing in other documents, or in the testimonies of the prosecution’s witnesses, that would establish how accused Ampatuan participated in the alleged falsification in SB-17-CRM-0898 to 906. Therefore, such evidence is insufficient to support a verdict of guilt inside cases insofar as accused Ampatuan is concerned,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“This court finds it unnecessary to determine the existence of the elements of falsification under Article 171 paragraph 4 of the Revised Penal Code. Wherefore the demurrer to evidence filed by accused Datu Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan is hereby granted. SB-17-CRM 0898-0906 are hereby dismissed as to accused Ampatuan for insufficiency of evidence,” the Sandiganbayan added.

Ampatuan is currently serving a 90-day suspension in connection with pending P98 million graft and malversation charges lodged against him.

The P98 million was supposedly for the procurement of palay, corn seeds and fertilizers from a certain Tamoni Enterprises. Such purchase, however, was never made. — BM, GMA News