MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has convicted two former officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) over irregularities in the purchase of medical emergency kits in 2003.
In its 36-page decision written by Associate Justice Karl Miranda and dated March 22, the anti-graft court’s 6th Division convicted former ARMM disbursing officer Serda Hassan-Bangsa and former ARMM Manila Liaison head Socorro Natividad of violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and sentenced them to up to 10 years in prison.
The court also ordered the two to pay supplier Geneve SA Philippines PHP5 million for the balance of the purchase price of the GPI rescue kits.
In the same decision, the anti-graft court ordered the case against former ARMM governor Dr. Parouk Hussin and former ARMM accountant Ricardo Luna to be archived until they are brought within the jurisdiction of the court.
Hussin and Luna have yet to be arraigned.
Hussin has tried but failed to get relief from the Supreme Court over the graft case.
“Taken together, the overt acts of accused Hassan-Bangsa, Natividad, Luna, and Hussin point to a joint purpose and design, concerted action, and community of interest, which is the processing and approval of the disbursement vouchers and purchase order for the down payment of the GPI rescue kits to Geneve without public bidding, available funds, and incomplete documents. In addition, partly because of the said deficiencies, they and the ARMM failed to pay the remaining balance of the said purchase price amounting to PHP5 million,” the Sandiganbayan said.
The charges were filed on July 31, 2008 for violation of RA 3019.
Associate Justices Sarah Jane Fernandez and Kevin Vivero concurred in the decision. (PNA)
