Ombudsman drops charges vs Misuari

The Office of the Ombudsman has withdrawn two of the six cases it filed against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari over alleged anomalous procurements when he was governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In a motion dated April 16, the Office of the Special Prosecutor said they are withdrawing one count each of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents for “lack of sufficient evidence.”

Misuari and three former officials of the Department of Education office in the ARMM were charged with three counts each of graft and malversation of public funds last year over the procurement of educational materials and kits to three suppliers amounting to P115.2 million in 2000 and 2001.

The ombudsman said none of the purchased materials were delivered.

Graft probers said Misuari and his co-accused falsified disbursement vouchers, purchase orders, canvass reports, sales invoices, delivery receipts and other supporting documents to make it appear that the transactions were above board.

In its motion, the ombudsman said documents pertaining to the purchase of educational materials from White Orchids Printing and Publishing House amounting to P37.9 million could not be located.

The ombudsman said even the DepEd-ARMM and the ombudsman’s Military and Other Law Enforcement Office, the nominal complainant, could not locate the documents.

“In view of the fact that documents relative to the transaction between White Orchids and DepEd-ARMM could no longer be located and produced despite diligent efforts, the prosecution moves for the withdrawal of information for Criminal Cases... 1019 and 1022,” the motion read.