Ex-mayor convicted of graft for typhoon aid to husband, sis

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay MayorGemmaAdana of graft for giving her husband and sister four times the cash assistance meant for typhoon victims in September 2007. In a 32-page decision, the court's Sixth Division sentenced Adana to six to eight years in prison and barred her for life from holding public office. Ombudsman prosecutors accused her of granting P45,000 and P40,000 to her husband Edgar Adana and her sister EmmaAranas, respectively, despite the assistance being capped at P10,000. Adana blamed her coaccused, municipal social welfare and development officer Isabel Tabamo, who came up with the master list of calamity victims. The prosecution could not present Tabamo's testimony because of her death. But, the court held Adana “ultimately responsible” for the irregularity because she signed the disbursement vouchers and checks.