Ex-Maguindanao gov seeks dismissal of graft, malversation raps

MANILA, Philippines — Former Maguindanao governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan has maintained that the criminal charges he is facing before the Sandiganbayan should be dismissed due to “inordinate delay” in the investigation.

In a 13-page motion for reconsideration filed on Tuesday, Ampatuan said the anti-graft court’s third division erred in its May 21 ruling, which denied his motion to quash the graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents charges filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Ampatuan reiterated that the ombudsman violated his constitutional right to speedy resolution of the cases when it took more than three years to finish its investigation before filing the cases in court.

Ampatuan said the ombudsman received a special audit report on the questioned transactions as early as Feb. 18, 2014, but the ombudsman started its preliminary investigation only in August 2016. The cases were filed last Jan. 25.

Ampatuan also claimed he was denied the opportunity to answer the allegations during the investigation. 

The cases stemmed from the provincial government’s disbursement of P98,249,850 on June 3, 2009 as supposed payment to private supplier Tamoni Enterprises for the procurement of palay and corn seeds and fertilizers.

Graft probers said no payment was made to Tamoni, adding that the procurement was fictitious.

Former agriculturist Mozibicak Guiabel, accountant John Estelito Dollosa Jr., budget officer Ali Abpi, bids and awards committee chairman Kasan Macapendeg and BAC members Osmeña Bandila, Norie Unas and Landap Guinaid were named respondents in the cases.