Court convicts ex-Isabela gov. Padaca of graft, malversation
Credit to Author: Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino, TMT| Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 03:59:16 +0000
THE Sandiganbayan’s Third Division has convicted former Isabela governor Maria Gracia Cielo “Grace” Padaca of graft and of malversation.
In a decision promulgated on Friday morning, the court sentenced Padaca from 12 years up to 14 years in prison in the malversation case and fined her P18 million.
In the graft case, Padaca was sentenced from six years up to 10 years in prison.
“‘Yung P25 million na iyon, ni piso, ni sentimo, walang napunta sa akin at lahat napunta sa mga magsasaka ng Isabela,” Padaca said in part in an interview after the promulgation.
Padaca, who can still file a motion for reconsideration on or appeal the decision, must post additional bail within 10 days from today to continue enjoying provisional liberty.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the cases before the Sandiganbayan in 2011.
The Ombudsman alleged that in 2006, the services of a non-government organization were directly contracted to manage, administer, and implement the Provincial Rice Program of Isabela particularly the Supervised Credit Facility.
It alleged that the memorandum of agreement dated Jan. 8, 2006 was not ratified until after Jan. 31, 2007.