Live Breaking News & Updates on He Officials Instead Turned Over The Money To Bmempc By Constituting It Asa Conduit For Public Funds And Making Available Exclusively Accused Availed Themselves Of Huge Loans From

MANILA - The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former Cebu mayor and three other city officials in corruption charges in connection with the anomalous diversion of PHP20 million in public funds earmarked for agricultural development into a private company in 2007. In a 119-page decision dated February 28, the anti-graft court's Sixth Division found Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez III, councilor Crescencio Verdida who was the municipal accountant during the time, former municipal treasurer Rhett Minguez, and former municipal assistant treasurer Julio Ursonal Jr. guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. They were sentenced up to 10 years in prison. They were also perpetually disqualified from holding any public office and all of their retirement benefits were ordered forfeited. The case against another accused who remains at large, former municipal budget officer Mary Lou Ursal was archived pending her arrest. The officials were found guilty o ....

Mary Lou Ursal , Ginintuang Agrikulturang Makamasa , Julio Ursonal Jr , Crescencio Verdida , Department Of Agriculture , Purpose Cooperative , Sixth Division , Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez , Rhett Minguez , Julio Ursonal , Republic Act , Corrupt Practices , Manila The Sandiganbayan Has Convicteda Former Cebu Mayor And Three Other City Officials In Corruption Charges Connection With Anomalous Diversion Of Php20 Million Public Funds Earmarked For Agricultural Development Intoa Private Company 2007 Ina 119 Page Decision Dated February 28 , He Anti Graft Court 39s Sixth Division Found Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Iii , Ouncilor Crescencio Verdida Who Was The Municipal Accountant During Time , Ormer Municipal Treasurer Rhett Minguez , Nd Former Municipal Assistant Treasurer Julio Ursonal Jr Guilty Of Violating Republic Act 3019 Or The Anti Graft And Corrupt Practices They Were Sentenced Up To 10 Years In Prison Also Perpetually Disqualified From Holding Any Public Office All Their Retirement Benefits Ordered Forfeited Case Against Another Accused Who Remains At Large , Ormer Municipal Budget Officer Mary Lou Ursal Was Archived Pending Her Arrest The Officials Were Found Guilty Of Conspiring With One Another In Diverting Php20 Million Public Funds To Bogo Employees Multi Purpose Cooperative Bmempc , A Private Corporation The Funds Were Originally From Department Of Agriculture Da And For Agricultural Livelihood Assistance Farmers , Nd Other Members Of The Marginalized Sector Under Ginintuang Agrikulturang Makamasa Gam Program On April 26 , He Officials Instead Turned Over The Money To Bmempc By Constituting It Asa Conduit For Public Funds And Making Available Exclusively Accused Availed Themselves Of Huge Loans From , Long With Its Other Members Quot Corruption Has Siphoned Off Whatever Meager Resources That Could Have Been Immensely Helpful To Alleviate The Lives Of Poor Filipinos , Uot The Court Said Pna ,