NBI arrests ‘dead’ suspect in P24-M textbook scam

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested the suspect in the P24-million textbook procurement anomaly in 1998, who was initially presumed dead.

NBI agents arrested Mary Ann Maslog on September 25 after they received complaints about a certain Jessica Francisco. Upon investigation, authorities discovered that Maslog and Francisco are the same person through fingerprint matching.

“As far as she is concerned, ang alam ng Sandiganbayan, patay na siya. But nung may mag-reklamo sa amin about Dr. Jessica Francisco…we found out that Mary Ann Maslog and Jessica Francisco are the one and the same person,” said NBI Director Jaime Santiago during a press briefing on Tuesday.

(As far as she is concerned, the Sandiganbayan knows she’s already dead. But when someone complained about Dr. Jessica Francisco…we found out Mary Ann Maslog and Jessica Francisco are one and the same person.)

Maslog, who was a publishing company agent, and two Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (now Department of Education) officials were charged with graft in connection to the scam.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier claimed that the two DECS officials processed and approved documents of the P24-million supply contract for textbooks in favor of Esteem Enterprises which was represented by Maslog.

The two former education officials were sentenced up to 10 years in prison in 2020. While the case against Maslog was ordered dismissed due to her alleged death in 2019.

But the NBI said it already reported the latest development on Maslog to the anti-graft court.

“The lawyer manifested that Mary Ann Maslog ay patay na. Syempre kapag ganyang hearing, they will present proof that she’s already dead. From there, naniwala ang Sandiganbayan natin na she’s already dead,” said Santiago.

(The lawyer manifested that Mary Ann Maslog is already dead. Of course during hearings, they will present proof that she’s already dead. From there, the Sandiganbayan thought she’s already dead.)

“We reported the matter to the Sandiganbayan and Sandiganbayan will act on it. I don’t know when,” he added.

The NBI Director said that it has already filed charges against Maslog for illegal use of alias and falsification before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Although Maslog has already posted bail, the bureau said that the Sandiganbayan has issued another arrest warrant against her on Tuesday afternoon.

“We will release her na but ito umabot (We were supposed to release her but this one just arrived), warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan, and there’s no bail recommended. So we will hold her further,” said Santiago.

In a video posted by GMA Integrated News reporter John Consulta, Maslog was seen frustrated after the Sandiganbayan’s latest warrant.

PANOORIN: Isang galit na Mary Ann Maslog ang lumabas galing sa presscon ng NBI matapos matanggap ang bench warrant mula sa Sandiganbayan. Bagamat nakapagpiyansa na sa ibang kaso, hindi pa rin siya makakalaya. | via John Consulta/GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/uNQR9fWyVq

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) October 1, 2024

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Maslog’s camp for comment. 

Connection to Alice Guo?

The NBI mentioned an earlier report claimed Maslog met with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo Calugay to talk about a project in Pangasinan. 

But the NBI said Maslog did not discuss with authorities about such information connecting her with the controversial public officials.

“We cannot get information kung hindi niya ibibigay. We respect her constitutional right regarding that matter. So far, wala kaming nakuhang information…Her counsel is always there assisting her,” said Santiago.

(We cannot get information from her if she doesn’t want to. We respect her constitutional right regarding that matter. So far, we have yet to get any information about that… Her counsel is always there assisting her.) —RF, GMA Integrated News