Sandigan denies bail for 'undead' businesswoman in textbook scam

For faking her own death, assuming false identities and repeatedly fleeing from authorities, the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan maintained that businesswoman Mary Ann Tupa Maslog, who also goes by the name Jesica Sese Francisco, must remain in detention despite facing a bailable offense of graft in connection with the P24-million textbook scam in 1998.

- Elizabeth Marcelo

In a minute resolution dated Dec. 19, 2024, but was released only yesterday, the court's Second Division has upheld its Dec. 6 ruling denying Maslog's motion to lift the bench warrant against her and instead be allowed to post bail for her case of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Second Division said that while Maslog is facing a bailable offense, an accused's right to bail "is not absolute."

"While the right to bail is constitutionally guaranteed under Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution, it is not absolute...the accused-movant Mary Ann Maslog's repeated acts of evasion, including jumping bail, using multiple aliases and fleeing abroad, demonstrate a blatant disregard for the judicial process and a high likelihood of flight if she resisted," the Second Division's resolution read.