Ex-BFP chief gets 90 years in prison

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has sentenced former Bureau of Fire Protection chief Francisco Senot to a maximum of 90 years in prison in connection with the ghost repair of the BFP’s vehicles in 2001.

Magistrates of the anti-graft court’s Third Division found Senot and former BFP finance services unit head Florante Cruz guilty of five counts of graft, estafa and falsification of public documents.

Senot and Cruz were ordered to pay a fine of P25,000 each.

The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Senot and Cruz for their involvement in the anomalous transactions.

Records showed that the charges stemmed from the release of public funds for the supposed repair of a Kia Besta van and Isuzu Elf truck owned by the BFP.

The Sandiganbayan, in a decision penned by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, said Senot and Cruz caused undue injury to the government.

Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez concurred with the ruling.

Senot and Cruz were also directed to indemnify the government P192,023, representing the total amount released for the ghost repair of the BFP vehicles.