By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has set the arraignment of former Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas on March 27 for his technical malversation case over the alleged misuse of PHP60 million in disaster funds.
The anti-graft court, in the resolution dated March 5, also ruled to allow the prosecution to amend the charges against Matugas.
Matugas and former provincial budget officer Marla Padayhag are accused of technical malversation after reallocating the PHP60 million, originally allotted for a disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation program.
The budget was subsequently disbursed for the procurement of supplementary reading materials for the Department of Education-Surigao del Norte division in 2022.
Matugas and Padayhag were originally set to be arraigned on Nov. 7, 2025, and then rescheduled last January.
“Before arraignment, no substantive right of the accused had been violated as he or she is yet to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him or her,” the anti-graft court said.
“It is only when he or she has been informed of such nature and cause of the accusation hurled against him during arraignment that substantial amendments to the complaint or information cannot be made,” it added. (PNA)
