- Home
- MNLF...
MNLF founder Nur Misuari found guilty in P77-M graft case
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari was convicted of two counts of graft in connection with procurements totaling P77 million from nonexistent companies toward the end of his term as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In a 68-page decision promulgated by the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division on Friday, Misuari, 85, and six other coaccused were sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison. Except for Cristeta Ramirez, owner of company CPR Publishing, the rest, being government officials around the time of the procurements in 2000 and 2001, were barred permanently from holding public office.
Also convicted by the antigraft court were Nader Macagaan of the Commission on Audit and Leovigilda Cinches, Pangalian Maniri, Sittie Aisa Usman and Aladdin Usi of the Department of Education’s ARMM office.
No record of companies
In 2000, Misuari authorized the procurement of a P31-million IT package from MBJ Learning. The next year, he authorized the procurement of another IT package, this time from CPR, worth P46 million.
The Sandiganbayan said there was no public bidding in the procurement from MBJ. It added that “unwarranted benefit, advantage and preference” was given to that company because there was no canvassing of at least three other suppliers.
Furthermore, the antigraft court found no record of MBJ from the city government of Caloocan, where the business is supposed to be located.
The court also found no tax record of the company from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and no registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As for CPR, yet another company supposedly based in Caloocan, the Sandiganbayan said it also found no record of that supplier from both the city government and the BIR.
The court learned further that CPR’s business address was also MBJ’s business address, which, upon further checking, turned out to be the home address of Ramirez.
Misuari’s lawyer, Ma. Victoria Lim-Florido, said on Friday that he would appeal the graft conviction.
Rebel leader
Misuari, whose term as governor of the now-defunct ARMM region was about to end in 2001, staged an uprising in Jolo, Sulu, in an attempt to stop the holding of elections the next year.
The rebel leader had previously entered into a peace agreement with the administration of President Fidel Ramos which eventually led to his election as ARMM governor in 1996.
Misuari was subsequently arrested in Malaysia and deported to the Philippines. He was released on bail in 2008 after six years in detention.
But five years later, his supporters led another attack in the Sept. 9, 2013, siege of Zamboanga, which ended on Sept. 28 with 183 rebels and 23 government troops killed, following a standoff of more than two weeks.
Misuari subsequently went in hiding in Jolo, Sulu, but resurfaced during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte after the latter offered to negotiate peace with the rebel leader.
- https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/mnlf-founder-nur-misuari-found-guilty-in-p77-m-graft-case/ar-BB1n0GpJ?ocid=00000000
Related
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE - Official Trailer
This is a follow-up to the comedy Beetlejuice (1988), about a ghost who's recruited to help haunt a house.
NewsInfluencer shares warning from doctor about drinking too much water
A New York City woman recently took to social media to say her doctor told her she was drinking too much water. She complained about having to go to the bathroom constantly.
NewsFrom humble beginnings to success stories: 4 reasons why BINI is worth stanning
The eight-member Philippine pop (P-Pop) girl group BINI—composed of young, powerful and talented women, namely Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna and Sheena—is shooting their golden arrow as they are making their legacy in the local and international music industry. As they walk on their blooming island of success, BINI strives to share their talent and passion as modern Filipinas, promoting the country’s music and culture. The...
NewsMarcos signs Negros Island Region Act
President Bongbong Marcos signs the Negros Island Region Act in Malacaang, putting Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor under one region. | : MCA
NewsHole spotted on Mars could be a gateway to ancient alien life
A picture of a hole on Mars has resurfaced, reintroducing the question of whether there's life on the red planet. The hole might lead to lava tubes that formed during a volcanic explosion.
NewsVoid agreements involving marriage
Dear PAO, My cousin and her husband have been married for 17 years, and they have three minor children. However, they are no longer together. Her husband now has a girlfriend, and my cousin has a lesbian partner. They "separated" because her husband cheated on her five times. Her husband wants to remarry and since they now have their own lives, they both agreed to live separately and even made an agreement before the barangay that they will now...
NewsGerman companies concerned by falling prices in China: report
BEIJING, China — Falling prices and weak demand are the main difficulties facing German companies in China, according to a report by a business body that said European tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are counterproductive. China is one of Germany’s top trading partners, accounting for a significant portion of their sales in recent years. But 61 percent of 186 German companies surveyed by the German Chamber of Commerce said “pressure on...
NewsPampanga gov't orders house-to-house inspection to locate illegal POGOs
The provincial government of Pampanga has ordered all mayors in the province to conduct house-to-house inspections against illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs in their localities. According to GMA Integrated News' Jonathan Andal's report on Super Radyo dzBB on Monday, Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda said authorities have been going around their localities since Sunday. She said the order for house-to-house inspection was...
News