Ex-Zambo Sur exec gets 10 years for graft

A former vice governor of Zamboanga del Sur has been sentenced to six-to-10 years in prison for allegedly misusing P3.7 million in government funds intended for financial assistance to farmers.

In a ruling handed down over the weekend, the Sandiganbayan said Tirsendo Poloyapoy could have used the money for his election campaign.

The anti-graft court found Poloyapoy guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Aside from him, the court convicted Mario Octavio Arsenal, president of the Soya Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SFMPC).

The two were sentenced to serve six to 10 years in prison and ordered to indemnify the government P3.7 million. They were disqualified from holding public office.

The Sandiganbayan said the former vice governor entered into a deal with the SFMPC despite knowing that the cooperative lacked government accreditation and qualifications to implement the project.

It said the deal was notarized on Feb. 26, 2001, but the accused signed the agreement on March 6 of the same year.

The anti-graft court said the funds might have been used for campaign purposes, noting that a local election was held at that time.

Three other accused – former accountant Ma. Eden Saldariega and municipal employees Roderick Pascual and Osmundo Lumapas – have yet to be arrested.