The Ombudsman has ordered the indictment of former Maguindanao Gov. Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan and three others over the
alleged misuse of P500 million for a farm-to-market road project from June to September 2009.
The impending charges arose from the alleged failure of provincial officials to submit supporting documents for the use of the funds despite repeated demands by the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Citing the Commission on Audit鈥檚 findings, the Ombudsman found that the roads were 鈥渋n bad condition and far shorter than the reported lengths,鈥� and the declared accomplishments 鈥渨ere no longer visible.鈥�
Ampatuan and former provincial treasurer Osme帽a Bandila would face criminal charges of graft, malversation and failure to render accounts. 鈥�Vince F. Nonato