Maguindanao town mayor seeks deferment of arraignment

MANILA, Philippines — Former Maguindanao governor and now Shariff Saydona Mustapha Mayor Sajid Islam Ampatuan has asked the Sandiganbayan to postpone his arraignment so he can attend the anniversary celebration of his town.

In his motion, Ampatuan said the anti-graft court’s third division should reset his arraignment from Aug. 23 to Aug. 30.

The arraignment was originally set on Aug. 2, but the proceeding was cancelled after the Supreme Court suspended work in courts due to inclement weather.

Ampatuan said he wanted to be present during the anniversary celebration, noting that several local and national government personalities have confirmed their attendance and participation.

He said he would also be arraigned before the Sandiganbayan’s First Division for another set of cases on Aug. 30.

Ampatuan is facing charges for graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents over the provincial government’s alleged fictitious procurement of palay and corn seeds as well as fertilizer worth P98.2 million when he was governor.

Ampatuan was also charged with four counts each of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents over alleged ”ghost”purchase of food supplies worth P79.751 million.