Misuari meets Duterte but yet to post P460-k bail

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari has yet to post the P460,000 bail on his graft and malversation case even after his private meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend.

Sandiganbayan Third Division clerk of court Attorney Dennis Pulma said the anti-graft court has yet to receive any transmittal or receipt acknowledging the payment of Misuari's P460,000 bail bond.

"As of this time, as per records, there is yet no bail posted by accused Misuari. So far there has only been one accused who posted bail," Pulma said in an interview.

"So far, there is yet no indication (of Misuari bail) because we have not received any transmittal or receipt of any transmittal bail that may have been posted by accused Misuari elsewhere," he added.

The Sandiganbayan issued the warrant against Misuari and other former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officials on August 31.

The case stemmed from the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials during his term as ARMM governor from 2000 to 2001.

Pulma earlier said the copies of the arrest warrants have been transmitted to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, and the Police Station Commanders of Cotabato City and Tapul, Sulu.

But despite the standing warrant, Misuari met with Duterte on Saturday at Matina Enclaves in Davao City where they mainly discussed issues on the proposed Bangsamoro region and the shift to federalism.

Asked if what the Sandiganbayan can act amid Misuari's public appearance, Pulma said the anti-graft court can only wait for a report from law enforcers. "What the court can do right now is await the report of the law enforcement authorities as to the service or execution of the warrant of arrest."

Pulma, nonetheless, said Misuari can post his bail at any regional trial court in the provinces should he decide to pay the cash bond.

"The accused may post bail with the court and he may post it elsewhere in the provinces, in the RTCs in the provinces. Should the accused decide to post bail in the provinces, the original (receipt) copies must be transmitted to the court," he said. —NB, GMA News