Ex-DENR exec gets 112 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has sentenced to 112 years in prison an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) in connection with the allegedly anomalous procurement of P3.76 million worth of office supplies and equipment in 2010.

In a 50-page decision promulgated on Feb. 6, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division found Sultan Usman Sarangani guilty of 16 counts of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Sarangani was sentenced to six years and one month to seven years for each of the 16 counts of the offense, or a total of 97 years and four months to 112 years in prison.

However, Sarangani need not fully serve his jail term as the country’s penal justice system limits the maximum period of imprisonment to 40 years as provided under Article 70 of the Revised Penal Code.

The Sixth Division also perpetually disqualified Sarangani from holding public office.

It acquitted Sarangani of 16 counts of violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019 for failure of the Office of the Ombudsman to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The charges against Sarangani’s co-accused, former DENR-ARMM accountant Nanayaon Dibaratun, were earlier dismissed following her death.

Records showed that instead of conducting a public bidding, Sarangani and Dibaratun resorted to small-value procurement or “shopping” without any valid justification.

The ombudsman said the items were reportedly procured from companies owned by and registered under the name of Dibaratun.