Biazon, Napoles, 3 others convicted of graft over PDAF

The Sandiganbayan has convicted re-elected Muntinlupa City Mayor Rozzano Rufino Biazon, businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, and three others of graft due to the misuse of the former's P2.7-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) when he was a congressman in 2007.

- BY CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI

Biazon and Napoles were found guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, together with former Technology Resource Center (TRC) deputy director general Dennis L. Cunanan, Group Manager Maria Rosalinda M. Lacsamana, and private individual Evelyn D. De Leon.

They were sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to eight years with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. De Leon and Napoles were also ordered to indemnify the government and return to the national treasury, jointly and severally, P2,700,000, representing the total amount wrongfully and illegally disbursed.

Those convicted can still file a motion for reconsideration and if denied they can elevate their cases to the Supreme Court (SC) on appeal.