spot_img
27.5 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Misuari not penalized by graft court

- Advertisement -

The Sandiganbayan did not penalize Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Nur Misuari for his failure to appear before the Third Division Clerk of Court after coming back from his Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Morocco trip.

Misuari was allowed by the court to go to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Morocco in March to attend the 48th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of foreign ministers and the 14th Session of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC) member states.

“Accused-movant Nur Misuari is, however, sternly warned that any repetition of the non-compliance of any of the conditions imposed for this travel shall be dealt with more severely,” the six page resolution of the court said.

He was required to post a P920,000 travel bond as a requirement for the trip. 

The court also ordered Misuari to present himself to the Division Clerk of Court, lawyer Dennis Pulma, within five days of his return.

- Advertisement -

Misuari, however, failed to present himself to Pulma when he returned.

In a manifestation dated March 19, Misuari said he failed to comply as he had to “conduct intensive and exhaustive consultations with his field commanders and advisers to prepare further talks with the President [Rodrigo Duterte]about the Mindanao situation.”

“Nevertheless, this Court finds the reasons forwarded by accused-movant Misuari in support of his non-compliance to be valid and accepted, bearing that this is the first time that accused-movant Misuari travelled outside the Philippines,” the Sandiganbayan resolution said.  

“However, it must be emphasized that this leniency should not be interpreted as a relaxation of the conditions that may be imposed for foreign travels of accused-movant Misuari in the future.” 

Misuari was charged with graft, malversation of public funds and falsification of documents.

The cases filed by the Ombudsman are in connection with the anomalous purchase of educational supplies for the ARMM in 2000 and 2001 when Misuari was governor. 

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles