Misuari arraigned, allowed to travel by Sandiganbayan

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari was finally arraigned before the Sandiganbayan Third Division yesterday for graft and malversation over the alleged anomalous purchase of learning materials in 2000.

Misuari refused to enter a plea for graft (two counts) and malversation (two counts) prompting the Sandiganbayan to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Misuari’s arraignment was initially scheduled today but was moved Tuesday because of a scheduled trip.

He was allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Morocco after posting a travel bond in the amount of 1920,000.

He leaves today for Abu Dhabi to attend the 48th Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Council (OIC) of Foreign Ministers and fly to Rabat, Morocco to attend the 14th Session of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC) Member States.

In a four-page resolution, the Sandiganbayan said Misuari has to be arraigned before his motion to travel is approved.

“This court is not oblivious to the fact that the accused-movant has an important role in the peace efforts in Mindanao, being the chairman and founding leader of the MNLF and that his presence in the cited sessions both in Abu Dhabi and Morocco may have some national significance in the efforts,” it said.

The Sandiganbayan required Misuari to personally appear before the division clerk of court within five days upon his return and submit relevant travel documents.

He is expected to return on March 20.