Former Maguindanao governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan, currently serving as vice mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, faces potential life imprisonment after being found guilty of graft and malversation of public funds by the Sandiganbayan.
The anti-graft court sentenced him to eight to 12 years for graft and life in prison for misappropriating P400 million intended for farm-to-market road projects that were never implemented.
This conviction also disqualifies him from holding any public office, jeopardizing his 2022 election victory as vice mayor.
Additionally, he has been ordered to pay the government P393 million as restitution, with a six percent annual interest until fully paid.
Ampatuan has a history of convictions, with six sentences from the anti-graft court since October 2022, including three life sentences for various offenses involving public funds.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 22, 2024
