Ex-Zamboanga Sibugay vice gov Famor gets 194-year jail time

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced former Zamboanga Sibugay vice governor Eugenio Famor to a maximum jail term of more than 194 years, including a total fine of P593,500, after finding him guilty of releasing financial assistance to non-existent beneficiaries.

In a 73-page decision promulgated on February 2, the First Division ruled that Famor was "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" on all seven counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation through falsification of public documents.

The Sandiganbayan, nonetheless, said Famor is entitled to the "three-fold rule" which can reduce his prison sentence to around 54 years and a fine of P600,000.

"In the service of his sentences, the accused shall be entitled to the application of the three-fold rule as provided in Article 70 of the Revised Penal Code," the decision read.

The law states that "the maximum duration of the convict's sentence shall not be more than three-fold the length of time corresponding to the most severe of the penalties imposed upon him." This means Famor can only be detained for a maximum period of 40 years once his sentence is served.

The case against Famor stemmed between August 2001 to January 2002 when he allegedly collected a total of P593,500 worth of public funds for the beneficiaries of the province's Aid to the Poor Program. Investigations revealed that Famor had full knowledge that the beneficiaries were fictitious.

Famor and his co-accused falsified disbursement vouchers, social case study reports, and reimbursement expense receipts to make it appear that the payment to 131 beneficiaries were made, when in fact the funds were only used for their personal benefit.

During his testimony, Famor blamed the Commission on Audit for not knowing the dynamics of the province. He said most of the beneficiaries are poor who hold no permanent addresses, hence the return of confirmation letters to state auditors.

Famor, however, admitted that his office made no validation efforts as to the actual need or existence of the beneficiaries, saying he believes those are already the responsibilities of the provincial social welfare department.

The Sandiganbayan said Famor made it appear that the beneficiaries received their medical, burial, and other forms of financial assistance when in fact there were no supporting documents to back his claim.

"At the onset, the transactions surrounding the reimbursements are already replete with irregularities, which would lead a reasonable man to beleive that indeed, these transactions were tainted with bad faith," the Sandiganbayan said.

The anti-graft court further said COA personally searched for the alleged beneficiaries in each barangay and asked barangay and local government officials on their locations.

"All these point to a fraudulent scheme of using a legitimate program such as the Aid to the Poor to funnel government funds to accused's personal use, by making it appear that the funds were paid to legitimate beneficiaries, who later turned out to be fictitious," the Sandiganbayan said.

"The following circumstances all support and lead to the conclusion that the beneficiaries of the Aid to the Poor program are fictitious or non-existent," it added.

Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg penned the decision, with the concurrence of Associate Justices Efren dela Cruz and Edgardo Caldona.

Famor lost in his election bid to become Buug mayor to incumbent Mayor Jonam Lagas during the May 2016 elections. — MDM, GMA News