The former Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria was sentenced to serve at least 30 years imprisonment after being found guilty by the Sandiganbayan in the malversation of almost $100,000 from the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) funds that were used in 2007 in bringing back home 25 freed kidnapped Filipinos.
In a 27-page Decision, the Sandiganbayan First Division found former Ambassador Masaranga Umpa guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating three counts of Malversation of Public Funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code and sentenced him to a minimum 30 years imprisonment.
On the other hand, the First Division “recommends to the Chief Executive, through the Department of Justice, for the commutation of the penalty, if not pardon of the accused in these cases.”
In the Decision that was penned by Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada and concurred by First Division Chairperson Efren dela Cruz and Associate Justice Rafael Lagos, the graft court admitted that “while it is obliged to apply the penalty provided for the offense charged, believes that it is too harsh and excessive under the circumstance.”
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