Ex-Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Ampatuan convicted for ‘anomalous’ P38-M school repairs

The Sandiganbayan convicted former Maguindanao Governor Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan on Friday over the alleged anomalous purchase of construction and lumber materials for the repair of various school buildings from 2008 to 2009.

The Fourth Division found Ampatuan guilty of graft, 63 out of the 73 counts of falsification of public documents, and malversation of public funds.

He is sentenced to eight to 12 years imprisonment for the graft charge, six months to eight years "for each count" of falsification, and reclusion perpetua for the malversation case.

Provincial engineer and Bids and Awards Committee member Datu Ali Abpi, on the other hand, was found guilty for graft and malversation. He faces a prison sentence of eight to 12 years.

The Sandiganbayan perpetually disqualified Ampatuan and Abpi from holding public office and ordered them to "jointly" pay a fine of P37.74 million representing the "malversed" funds.

Ampatuan and his co-accused were charged for causing "undue injury" to the government when it supposedly procured construction materials worth P38.1 million from Abo Lumberyard and Construction Supply for the repair of school buildings in Maguindanao.

The prosecution, however, said the purchases were not actually made because the supplier was non-existent.

Ampatuan had claimed he only relied on the recommendation of his subordinates that the supporting documents for the contract was complete, but the Sandiganbayan said the evidence says otherwise.

The Sandiganbayan said the lack of proof of deliveries and anomalies in documentation, such as the submission of fake receipts to justify the release of funds, is enough to convict Ampatuan.

"Accused Ampatuan's assertion of good faith is not supported by the weight of the evidence on record. The irregularities enumerated are enough to convince the court that accused's acts were deliberate and planned," the Sandiganbayan said.

The camp of Ampatuan said they will appeal the guilty verdict.

Division chairperson Associate Alex Quiroz allowed Ampatuan to enjoy his temporary freedom while appealing the case as long as he posts a bail bond worth P1.58 million until Monday.

"Accused is given until Monday to post the additional cash bond, double the amount, to enjoy provisional liberty and avail all remedies allowed under the rules," Quiroz said.

A full copy of the decision penned by Associate Justice Bayani Jacinto has yet to be released to media as of posting time.

Ampatuan has other pending criminal cases at the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in various questionable transactions during his term.

He is an accused on the disbursement of P98.25 million for the purchase of agricultural materials and food supplies worth P16.32 million.

Ampatuan also has a case over the procurement of 614,650 liters of diesel worth P22.37 million from the Shariff Aguak Petron Station owned by his brother and co-accused, Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., for road and construction projects without public bidding.

Sajid is currently out on a surety bond over his implication in the multiple murder case stemming from the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan massacre, considered the worst election-related violence in the country.

Ampatuan has other pending criminal cases at the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in various questionable transactions during his gubernatorial term.

He is an accused on the disbursement of P98.25 million for the purchase of agricultural materials and food supplies worth P16.32 million.

Ampatuan also has a case over the procurement of 614,650 liters of diesel worth P22.37 million from the Shariff Aguak Petron Station owned by his brother and co-accused, Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., for road and construction projects without public bidding. — MDM/RSJ, GMA News