Misuari posts bail for graft

MANILA, Philippines — Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari yesterday posted bail for graft and malversation of public funds.

A report on news.abs-cbn.com said Misuari posted bail at a court in Davao City.Judge Emmanuel Carpio signed the release order.

 The Sandiganbayan Third Division set the bail at P460,000 – P60,000 for two counts of graft and P400,000 for two counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

The warrants were issued on Aug. 31, 2017 after the court found sufficient grounds to proceed with the trial of the cases.

Misuari was indicted on May 22. The cases stemmed from the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials for public schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2000 and 2001 when Misuari was governor.

In an interview with reporters on Monday, Dennis Pulma, Sandiganbayan third division clerk of court, said the arrest order against Misuari remains valid.

Pulma said Misuari could post bail outside Metro Manila as long as copies of the receipts and other bail documents are transmitted to the Sandiganbayan.

President Duterte and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza met with Misuari in Davao City on Saturday purportedly to discuss the proposed creation of the Bangsamoro region, Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesman, confirmed on Monday.

Fontanilla said there is nothing wrong in the meeting, saying there were many precedents for this.