Ex-Sarangani governor Escobar convicted of graft, malversation

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has convicted former Sarangani governor Miguel Escobar of graft and malversation in relation to the fraudulent release of funds.

The Sandiganbayan 6th Division also convicted Escobar’s co-accused, management analyst Alexis Jude dela Cruz, of the same offenses.

Escobar and Dela Cruz were sentenced to 6 to 10 years in prison for each case, or a total of 12 to 20 years. They are also perpetually disqualified to hold public office.

The court also imposed a P5,000-fine against each accused, and ordered them to jointly pay the Bureau of Treasury the civil liability cost amounting to P450,000, plus 6% legal interest from the finality of the decision until full payment of the amount.

The case was filed in 2011, when Escobar was accused of conspiracy with Dela Cruz, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and then-vice governor Felipe Constantino over the fraudulent release of P450,000 in government funds through a falsified disbursement voucher.

The fund was supposedly release as financial assistance to the Malapatan Fishermen’s Group, a local cooperative, but the group said they neither requested not received the funds. 

“The prosecution established that accused Escobar acted with gross inexcusable negligence when he signed and approved the disbursement voucher and check despite the lack of supporting documents,” the Sandiganbayan said.

During the trial, evidence pointed to Dela Cruz as the person who falsified documents by signing for an officer/representative of the NGO, posing as another person, and using a fake identification card to encash the check and receive the funds.

“Clearly, accused took advantage of their official positions to perpetuate the falsification of documents, including the vouchers and check, which led to the misappropriation of public funds,” the Sandiganbayan said. – Rappler.com