Graft conviction of former Nabcor exec affirmed

A FORMER ranking executive of the National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) has failed to persuade the Sandiganbayan to reverse its February 23, 2024 decision convicting her of one count of graft punishable by six to eight years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Encarnita Munsod, former vice chairperson of Nabcor’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), claiming that she was wrongfully convicted for the alleged anomalous procurement of P99.9 million worth of farm equipment in 2007 and 2008.

She said there was no basis to hold her liable for conspiracy as it was her but her superior, former Nabcor vice president Rhodora Mendoza, who supposedly prepared and signed the questioned purchase requests.

Besides Munsod, also convicted and meted the same penalties were accounting assistant Maria Ninez Guañizo, and General Services Unit head Romulo Relevo.

The information filed in 2019 alleged that the defendants gave unwarranted preference to Agri Component Corp (Agricom) by awarding the contract to deliver the farm equipment without a competitive public bidding.

Prosecutors likewise pointed out that several other suppliers including the brand dealer of Kubota were not tapped for more advantageous terms.