Ex-Sarangani governor gets 20 years

For ‘ghost’ aid to fishers group

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sarangani governor Miguel Escobar may spend up to 20 years in prison over the anomalous disbursement of funds in the guise of financial assistance to an organization of fishermen.

In a 43-page decision promulgated on Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division found Escobar and provincial management analyst Alexis Jude de la Cruz guilty of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

They were sentenced to six to 10 years in prison for each offense, with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The court imposed a fine of P5,000 each aside from P450,000 in civil liability, which the two should jointly or individually pay to the Bureau of Treasury.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2011, the cases stemmed from the disbursement of P450,000 in provincial government funds in May 2002 for supposed financial aid to Malapatan Fishermen’s Group.

The prosecution team said Escobar and his co-accused made it appear that the financial assistance was given to members of the fishermen’s group when the issued check was encashed by the accused for “their own personal use and benefit.”

The court noted Escobar’s silence or inaction despite knowledge of the anomalous transaction.

The sixth division said Escobar’s approval of the disbursement voucher despite lack of supporting documents, which resulted in the encashment of P450,000, “speaks most eloquently” of his participation in the conspiracy.