GRACE Padaca was a recipient of the 2008 Magsaysay Award for Good Governance.

Former Isabela governor Grace Padaca was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan of malversation of public funds and graft over Isabela’s rice program.

The case stemmed from Padaca’s alleged grant of P25 million to a private entity. She was ordered by the court to pay the Isabela government P18 million as fine.

The Sandiganbayan also sentenced her to 12 to 14 years in prison for the malversation conviction and six to 10 years for graft.

She was, however, allowed to post a bail of P140,000 as she appeals her conviction.

“All of the P25 million went to farmers. We know how they have suffered, borrowing money from traders and financiers. The money did not go to me,” she said in Filipino.

The money was channelled to the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation, Inc. (EDWINLFI) without the approval of the Isabela Provincial Board.

But Padaca claimed the board gave her the authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the private firm and that she had provided proof that the farmers benefitted from the program.

She said the disbursement of the money was covered by receipts from the farmers, proving the money went to them.

A polio survivor, Padaca expressed confidence the decision will be overturned. She said she would appeal the conviction all the way to the Supreme Court.

A former commissioner of the Commission on Elections, Padaca was one of the founders of the movement for good governance Kaya Natin for which she received the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Good Governance.