Sandigan upholds Maslog conviction over textbook scam

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of businesswoman Mary Ann Maslog, who faked her death to escape justice, in connection with the P24-million textbook scam in 1998.

In a six-page resolution promulgated yesterday, the anti-graft court’s Second Division said Maslog failed to raise any meritorious argument in her motion for reconsideration that would warrant a reversal of its Jan. 28 decision finding her guilty of violating Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Sandiganbayan sentenced Maslog to up to 10 years in prison. She was perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2008, the graft case stemmed from the education department’s release of payments totaling P24 million to Esteem Enterprises, represented by Maslog, in February 1998 for the delivery of textbooks and other printed learning materials in Eastern Visayas.

The ombudsman said the payment was released in two tranches using two falsified Sub-Allotment Release Orders supposedly issued by the Department of Budget and Management.

The DBM denied allocating funds for the project.

In 2020, the Second Division ordered the dismissal of the case filed against Maslog following her supposed death on Nov. 18, 2019.

On Sept. 24, 2024, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Jesica Sese Francsico in Quezon City on charges of fraud.

After fingerprint matching, the NBI found that Francisco and Maslog were the same person.