Misuari convicted of graft over ghost purchases

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has sentenced Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari to 12 to 16 years in prison over the purchase of P77.26 million worth of non-existent information technology (IT) educational materials during his term as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 2001.

In a 68-page decision promulgated yesterday, the court’s Third Division found Misuari guilty of two counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to a private party or from causing any party, including the government, undue injury.

He was sentenced to a minimum of six years to a maximum of eight years imprisonment
 for each count of the offense or a total of 12 to 16 years for the two counts. The court also ordered his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Convicted with Misuari of two counts of the same offense were four former regional officials of the Department of Education (DepEd)-ARMM – director Leovigilda Cinches, chief accountant Pangalian Maniri, accountant Alladin Usi and supply officer Sittie Aisa Usman.

Also convicted of one count each of graft were Commission on Audit-ARMM resident auditor Nader Macagaan and private supplier Cristeta Ramirez of CPR Publishing.

The Third Division, on the other hand, acquitted Misuari and his six co-accused of two counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents “for the prosecution’s failure to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

The 85-year-old Misuari, who was in Mindanao, was allowed to attend the promulgation of decision on his cases via video-conferencing. This was after his legal team earlier informed the court that he was having difficulty traveling long distances due to his old age and frail health condition.

Right after the reading of the verdict, Misuari’s legal team manifested before the court that he will be filing a motion for reconsideration on his graft conviction.

Misuari is currently out on bail for the cases.

“We are actually very thankful that the court has seen the