Samar congresswoman Milagrosa Tan convicted of graft

Ralf Rivas

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Samar congresswoman Milagrosa Tan convicted of graft

Darren Langit

(3rd UPDATE) The Sandiganbayan sentences the congresswoman to a maximum of 115 years in prison for purchasing emergency supplies worth P16 million without public bidding when she was Samar governor

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Friday, March 1, convicted Samar 2nd District Representative Milagrosa Tan of 8 counts of graft.

The court sentenced Tan to a maximum jail term of 115 years for graft and malversation of public funds.

Convicted together with Tan were former provincial administrative officer Rolando Montejo and trader-contractor Reynaldo Yabut.

The court also perpetually barred them from holding public office.

Tan was found guilty of graft for purchasing emergency supplies worth P16 million without public bidding when she was Samar governor.

Investigators found the provincial government procured rice, medical supplies, and other emergency items meant for victims of Typhoon Kidang in December 2001.

However, the items were found to have been purchased two months ahead of the calamity.

Moreover, graft investigators found that the rice was procured 100 kilometers away from Samar, from a small trader. The supposed delivery of the rice supply in just one day was found to be highly improbable.

Tan can still appeal the decision and can post a bail bond of P230,000 while pursuing the reversal of her conviction. – Rappler.com

Editor’s Note: Rappler earlier erroneously reported that Tan’s sentence is in relation to the anomalous purchase of medicines when she was Samar governor. This has been corrected.  

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Ralf Rivas

A sociologist by heart, a journalist by profession. Ralf is Rappler's business reporter, covering macroeconomy, government finance, companies, and agriculture.