Sandiganbayan convicts Janet Napoles in 6 graft, 6 malversation cases

The Sandiganbayan has convicted businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles of six counts of graft and six counts of malversation of public funds for the misuse of the P44 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the late ex-Benguet congressman Samuel Dangwa.

- By CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI

Each graft conviction carried the penalty of six to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office and loss of all retirement benefits.

Napoles has been detained since 2015 at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City due to her previous convictions.

In SB-15-CRM-0039, Napoles was convicted of graft together with former Technology Resource Center (TRC) director general Dennis L. Cunanan and group manager Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana.

She was convicted solely in SB15-CRM-0040. In SB-15-CRM-0041, Napoles was convicted together with Dangwa's staff member Erwin Cagas Dangwa, while Napoles was convicted in SB-15-CRM-0042 together with National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) president Gondelina Amata.

In SB-15-CRM-0043, Napoles, Cunanan, and private individual Mylene T. Encarnacion were found guilty of malversation and were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and imposed a fine of P10,000,0000.

They were also held liable, jointly and severally, to return to the Bureau of Treasury the amount of P10,000,000 with legal interest of six percent per annum.