Sandiganbayan orders Misuari’s arrest

The arrest of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misauri has already been ordered by the Sandiganbayan for his graft and malversation charges. (Photo By Keith Bacongco, CC BY 2.0)

The arrest of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misauri has already been ordered by the Sandiganbayan for his graft and malversation charges over the alleged anomalous purchase of P115.2 million various educational packages and materials in 2000 to 2001.

The order was issued by the anti-graft court Third Division in an 18-page resolution, after finding probable causefor the issuance of warrants of arrest against Misuari and his other former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) over the alleged “textbook scam.” The said resolution was promulgated on August 31.

“The court finds that there is probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the accused,” the resolution said.

The documents, which were submitted by the Office of the Ombudsman, refers to the requisition and issue vouchers, disbursement vouchers, and purchase orders worth 115 million approved by Misuari from 2000 to 2001.

The court said there was no unreasonable delay since the case includes massive amount of documents and there was no merit found in the defense of respondents that their case should be dismissed. Also, it “cannot be said to be unreasonable” as the Ombudsman took a period of one year and 11 months for its preliminary investigation proper.

“From an examination of the records, it can be gleaned that the present cases are part of what is known as the ‘textbook scam,’ which involves transactions not only those subject to these present cases, but also other related transactions. Due to the number of transactions, the investigation, which entailed scrutinizing voluminous records and determining who among the numerous persons involved should be held liable, necessarily took some time,” the court said.

Three counts of malversation of public funds by falsification and three counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were charged against Misuari by the Office of the Special Prosecutor under the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan.

Aside from Misuari, charges were also filed against Commissioner on Audit (COA) resident auditor Nader Macagaan, suppliers Lolita Sambeli of White Orchids, and Cristeta Ramirez of CPR Publishing.

Other co-accused are as follows:  former Department of Education ARMM executives Director Leovigilda Cinches, Chief Accountant Pangalian Maniri, Supply Officer Sittie Asia Usman, and Accountant Alladin Usi.

A hold departure order was already issued by the Sandiganbayan against Misuari and his co-respondents.