Ex-Maguindanao Gov. Ampatuan slapped with new graft charges over ‘ghost purchases’

Former Maguindanao governor Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan faces fresh charges at the Sandiganbayan for graft and malversation through falsification of public documents in connection with multimillion-peso "ghost purchase" of agricultural products in 2009.

The Office of the Ombudsman has recently accused Ampatuan of involvement in the disbursement of P98.249 million in public funds for the purchase of palay, corn, seeds and fertilizers from Tamoni Enterprises "when in truth and in fact, no such purchases were made" to the purported supplier.

He was also accused of falsifying or using falsified disbursement vouchers and/or journal entry vouchers, purchase requests and other documents for the same alleged transaction in June 2009.

Ampatuan allegedly conspired with then provincial government officials Mozibicak Guiabel, John Estelito Dollosa, Jr., Osmeña Bandila, Kasan Macapendeg, Engr. Norie Unas, Datu Ali Abi, Al Ha; and Engr. Landap Guinaid in committing the crimes, according to the Ombudsman. 

His seven co-accused face separate charges for graft and malversation through falsification of public documents in connection with a similar "ghost purchase" of P49.999 million in palay, corn, seeds and fertilizers from the same supplier in 2008, when the late Andal Ampatuan was Maguindanao governor.

Ombudsman prosecutors recommended a bail bond of P90,000 for each of the accused for the graft charges and P200,000 each for the malversation charges.

In all four cases approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, former Commission on Audit (COA) chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan and other COA officers were listed as witnesses. —LDF, GMA News