Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) — The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has affirmed the 90-day suspension of Datu Saijd Islam Ampatuan, mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao, in connection with charges of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents.
In a four-page resolution promulgated Nov. 20, the anti-graft court dismissed Ampatuan’s claim that he was not given the opportunity to participate in the preliminary investigation.
“The Office of the Ombudsman afforded the respondents the opportunity to file their counter affidavits,” read the resolution.
The anti-graft court also pointed out that Ampatuan signed a consolidated joint counter-affidavit dated Oct. 2, 2014.
“Clearly, he was given the opportunity to participate, and actually participated, in the preliminary investigation,” the anti-graft court said.
The case stemmed from the 145 counts of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents after he allegedly misused P72 million in public funds.
With this, the Sandiganbayan has furnished a copy of the resolution to the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement the order of suspension.
“The Secretary of the DILG is requested to inform this Court of the action taken thereon within fifteen days from receipt hereof,” said the anti-graft court.
It added, “The suspension of accused Ampatuan shall automatically be lifted upon the expiration of the ninety-day period from the implementation of this Resolution.”
