Nur Misuari posts P460-k bail for graft, malversation raps

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari on Tuesday posted a P460,000 bail before a Davao City court in connection with his graft and malversation case before the Sandiganbayan.

In a text message, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza confirmed that Misuari had paid the cash bond needed to secure his provisional liberty.

"I am informed now while here in Bicol that (Misuari) has filed his bail bond and that it has been approved and [that he]had been granted temporary liberty by the courts," Dureza said.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered the arrest of Misuari on September 5 over the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials worth P115 million during his term as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from 2000 to 2001.

Misuary was charged with three counts each of graft and malversation through falsification for allegedly conspiring with his co-accused in giving "unwarranted benefits, advantage and privilege" to three private companies.

Arrest warrants were released on two counts each of graft and malversation since the Sandiganbayan ordered the prosecution to present further evidence on the remaining counts.

Misuari met with President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend during which they discussed issues such as the proposed Bangsamoro region and the shift to federalism despite the MNLF leader's standing arrest warrant.

However, Dureza said the meeting between Misuari and Duterte pushed through at the Matina Enclaves since they received information that his bail was already being processed.

"The president met with Nur upon our arrangement when we were informed that his bail was already being attended to. Evidently, we learned later that when the meeting took place last Saturday (while) his application for bail was still being processed," Dureza said.

Third Division Clerk of Court Atty. Dennis Pulma, meanwhile, said they have yet to receive a transmittal letter saying Misuari has successfully posted bail at a lower court.

Pulma added that Misuari is not officially considered to have posted bail since the anti-graft court has yet to formally receive the pertinent documents.

He said the arraignment of Misuari and his co-accused will be scheduled once the Sandiganbayan receives the documents on his bail. —NB/KVD, GMA News