Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27) — The Sandiganbayan found a former water district official from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur guilty of pocketing over ₱10 million in public funds through a bogus water supply improvement project in 2011.
The court convicted Tugaya Water District general manager Jamaloden Faisal of graft and malversation of public funds.Aside from the fact that the accused was able to gain possession, custody, or control of the said funds, the prosecution was also able to prove that the alleged water supply improvement project of the Tugaya Water District was neither implemented nor partly completed,” the anti-graft court’s Third Division said in its decision dated June 23.State prosecutors said Faisal used his position to open a bank account for the office and withdrew the funds intended for the project for personal use.They presented the disbursement voucher, acknowledgment receipt, withdrawal slips among other bank documents to prove Faisal acquired the money.
“Accused Faisal himself proffered no evidence to dispute or rebut the abovementioned facts and circumstances against him,” the court said.
Neither did he offer any evidence to explain where the LWUA-drawn funds, over which he had custody, were used,” it added.Faisal was sentenced to up to 40 years in prison and is perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of ₱10,074,680 million or the amount he took plus 6% interest per year until fully paid.
