Sandiganbayan convicts Janet Napoles of graft, sentences her to up to 18 years

The Sandiganbayan found Janet Napoles guilty on Friday of two counts of malversation and two counts of graft related to the misuse of P7.55 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) belonging to former lawmaker Mark Douglas Cagas IV.

Napoles was sentenced to 10 to 16 years for one case involving P2.7 million and 10 to 18 years for another involving P4.85 million.

Former TRC officials Dennis Cunanan, Rosalinda Lacsamana, and ex-NABCOR official Rhodora Mendoza were also found guilty of graft and malversation charges and sentenced accordingly.

The court ordered Napoles, Cunanan, and Lacsamana to pay a fine and indemnify the government for P2.7 million each, while Mendoza and Napoles must pay an additional P4.85 million with legal interest.

Several other accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, and their Hold Departure Orders have been lifted.

Former Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Zenaida Ducut's case has been archived pending her medical condition improvement.