The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division convicts businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and a former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) official in connection with alleged “ghost” projects funded through the DAR. According to reports, the court finds Napoles and former DAR Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan guilty of malversation involving about P50 million tied to non-existent projects purportedly meant for farmers in Luzon. The decision is read by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez.
In addition to the malversation findings, Napoles is also found guilty of graft and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in the related cases, based on the accounts provided. Meanwhile, Pacturan is acquitted for the graft-related charges due to prosecutors’ failure to meet the required burden in those specific cases, as stated in one report.
The coverage describes multiple counts linked to the offenses, with the court issuing a set of findings reflecting both the malversation and falsification-related aspects of the allegations, stemming from the use of public funds and documents associated with the projects.
