1998 textbook scam suspect Maslog convicted of graft

Mary Ann Maslog (Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Mary Ann Maslog, one of the accused in the controversial textbook scam in 1998, has been found guilty of graft by the Sandiganbayan. 

During the case’s promulgation on Tuesday, the anti-graft court’s Second Division convicted Maslog of graft and sentenced her up to 10 years in prison.

She will also suffer perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

Prior to announcing its decision, the Sandiganbayan also denied Maslog’s motion for humanitarian furlough to attend to her sick husband identified as a certain “Wouter de Jong.”

Attached in the motion, according to Maslog’s lawyer Nicole Jamilla, was de Jong’s certificate of confinement, showing that he was confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City from January 20 to January 23 this year.

But Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg asked Maslog’s camp if they could provide a marriage certificate proving the accused relationship with de Jong.

She also asked them to present a medical certificate on the health condition of Maslog’s husband.

Maslog, along with Emilia Aranas and Ernesto Guiang of the then Department of Education, Culture and Sports, was implicated in a P24-million graft case in 1998.

They were accused of allegedly faking records to secure payments from the Department of Budget and Management. 

In 2020, Aranas and Guiang were both convicted and sentenced to a maximum of prison term of 10 years by the Sandiganbayan. 

Meanwhile, Maslog’s case was archived as she was reported to have died in 2019.

The anti-graft court was only informed about her purported death in November 2020. 

 In 2024, however, Maslog was found alive by the National Bureau of Investigation.