Ex-Maguindanao governor faces charges over P500-M project, graft case, malversation case
The Ombudsman has ordered the indictment of former Maguindanao Gov. Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan and three others over the
alleged misuse of P500 million for a farm-to-market road project from June to September 2009.
The impending charges arose from the alleged failure of provincial officials to submit supporting documents for the use of the funds despite repeated demands by the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Citing the Commission on Audit’s findings, the Ombudsman found that the roads were “in bad condition and far shorter than the reported lengths,” and the declared accomplishments “were no longer visible.”
Ampatuan and former provincial treasurer Osmeña Bandila would face criminal charges of graft, malversation and failure to render accounts. —Vince F. Nonato
