(Eagle News) – Former Maguindanao Governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan is sentenced to reclusion perpetua by the Sandiganbayan after finding him guilty of graft and malversation of public funds, and of 63 counts of falsification of public documents.
The cases arose over his alleged misuse of millions of pesos in public funds in 2009 when he allegedly made anomalous purchases of construction materials allegedly for the repair of various school buildings, when he was still the governor of Maguindanao..
He is also ordered to pay a fine of P35.7 million.
The anti-graft court’s Fourth Division also perpertually disqualified Ampatuan from holding public office.
Ampatuan, one of the suspects in the gruesome Maguindanao massacre in November 2009, is currently out on a surety bond in connection with the multiple murder case.
The Sandiganbayan allowed Ampatuan to enjoy his temporary freedom while appealing the case, but only if 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,” said Division chairperson Associate Alex Quiroz of the Sandiganbayan’s fourth division.
Ampatuan still has other criminal cases pending at the Sandiganbayan for alleged questionable transactions during his term.
