Sandiganbayan upholds ex-Maguindanao gov Ampatuan's graft conviction

The Sandiganbayan upheld the conviction of former Maguindanao governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan for graft and malversation concerning P393 million in fictitious farm-to-market road projects initiated in 2009.

Ampatuan was sentenced to eight to 12 years imprisonment for graft and perpetual disqualification from public office.

For malversation, he received a sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison and was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to the P393 million in public funds found to have been misused.

The anti-graft court's Third Division denied Ampatuan's motion for reconsideration, stating he failed to raise new arguments.

Ampatuan's arguments in his appeal were found unconvincing, as a Commission on Audit special audit report confirmed the farm-to-market roads were in poor condition despite supposed completion.

Ampatuan is currently the vice mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao.