The Sandiganbayan convicted six former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials of multiple counts of graft and estafa for defrauding the government of more than P82 million through ghost repairs and procurement of spare parts for agency vehicles in 2001.

Found guilty were former officer-in-charge Assistant Director Florendo Arias, accountant Rogelio Beray, fiscal controller Ricardo Juan, and supply officers Mirope Fronda, Napoleon Anas and Jesus SJ Cruz. Private defendants Janette Bugayong and Victoria Maniego-Go were also convicted.

In a 122-page decision handed down on 14 March, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division ruled that the accused “mutually aided one another to cause the release of funds for repairs that never transpired.”

Records showed that expenses for DPWH service vehicle repairs were subject to reimbursement. However, an investigation revealed that DPWH officials undertook the emergency repairs when no urgent need existed.

According to the prosecution, the officials intentionally faked emergency repairs to obtain reimbursements, which were exclusive to emergency purchases. The bogus vouchers ranged from P3,000 to P25,000.

Beray was found guilty on all 41 counts of graft and sentenced to up to 249 years in prison, plus another 95 years for 41 estafa charges and a P205,000 fine.

Anas and Juan were each convicted of 38 counts of graft and estafa and were sentenced to 184 years for graft and 88 years for estafa.

Fronda and Arias were found guilty of 31 and 22 counts, respectively. Maniego-Go was charged with 23 counts, while Bugayong and Cruz faced 15 and seven counts, respectively.