Sandigan finds ex-Isabela gov guilty

The anti-graft court has found former Isabela Governor and elections commissioner Grace Padaca guilty of graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the use of P25 million agricultural funds in 2016.

The Sandiganbayan 3rd Division sentenced Padaca to 12 to 14 years imprisonment for malversation and six to 10 years imprisonment for graft.

During the promulgation of the decision on Friday, the Court ordered Padaca to pay the Isabela government P18 million in fine.

It also ordered her to pay P140,000 for her temporary liberty.

Padaca is accused of giving undue advantage to Economic Development for Western Isabela and Norther Luzon Foundation Inc. after she entrusted P25 million to the said non-government organization (NGO) to manage the credit facility for Isabela’s rice farmers, without bidding and approval from the Provincial Board.

Padaca, who was present in the hearing maintained that the funds went to farmers and that she had authority from the Provincial board to enter into the memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the said NGO for the release of the funds to the farmers.

“All the funds went to farmers. I did not enter the MoA without authority from the Provincial Board.”

Padaca hopes that the Sandiganbayan will reverse its ruling.