The Sandiganbayan yesterday convicted former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca of graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the irregular use of P25-million worth of agricultural funds in 2006.
Padaca was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment for graft and 12 to 14 years in prison for malversation of public funds.
The anti-graft court’s Third Division allowed her to pay P140,000 bail for her provisional liberty, which is twice the amount of the bail she posted when the charges were initially filed.
After the promulgation, Padaca and her lawyer, Rogelio Vinluan, revealed that they will appeal the conviction and file a motion for reconsideration.
Padaca added that she could not understand how the Sandiganbayan reached a guilty verdict, since not a single centavo from the P25 million reached her pockets.
“I don’t even know what to say,” she said. “’Yung P25 million na ‘yun, ni piso ni sentimo walang napunta sa akin. Lahat napunta sa mga magsasaka ng Isabela,” she added.
She said that the farmers always loan from traders and financiers, so the program implemented was designed to help them sustain their livelihood.
Padaca’s charges were in relation to the deal she struck with Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc. in 2006.
Padaca, who was also appointed by then President Benigno S. Aquino III as Commission on Election chairwoman in 2012, decided to award P25 million for the management of a credit facility for Isabela’s rice farmers.
The prosecution, however, faulted Padaca because of her failure to undergo public bidding for the deal. (Czarina Nicole Ong-Ki)
