Ex-director of Muslim affairs’ body fined, sacked

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos in the Visayas for failing to account for public funds under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.

The anti-graft court slapped Lacsasa Hadji Datu Pangadapun with P6,000 fine and suspended him from public office, in a plea bargaining agreement reached with government lawyers.

Pangadapun, according to the Office of the Ombudsman, affirmed in open court his guilty plea to a lesser offense in exchange for a lesser penalty.

Pangadapun earlier complied with the condition to liquidate in full cash advances he had received amounting to P142,600 as part of the plea bargaining deal, the ombudsman said.