Sandiganbayan junks Maslog’s motion for reconsideration, affirms conviction
Mary Ann Maslog (Noy Morcoso / 好色先生TV)
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Mary Ann Maslog, affirming its decision to convict her in the graft case related to the controversial textbook scam in 1998.
In a six-page resolution dated March 5, the anti-graft court’s Second Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Maslog last February 12 for lack of merit.
“The Court finds that her motion is mainly a mere rehash of arguments already resolved in the Decision dated January 28, 2025,” the document reads.
“Accordingly, the Court DENIES the Motion for Reconsideration for lack of merit. The Decision dated January 28, 2025, finding accused Mary Ann T. Maslog guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019, stands,” it adds.
Maslog filed her appeal before the Sandiganbayan, seeking to reverse her conviction for graft, which resulted in her 10-year prison sentence.
In her motion, Maslog argued that there was insufficient evidence to establish all the elements of the offense under Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the prosecution failed to prove the existence of a conspiracy between her and her co-accused Emilia Aranas and Ernesto Guiang of the then Department of Education.
But based on the resolution, the prosecution maintained that there is proof beyond reasonable doubt convicting Maslog of graft and that her assumption of multiple aliases and attempt to fake her death “constitute consciousness of guilt.”
“These acts demonstrate a calculated effort to escape legal accountability, contradicting her claim of innocence,” the Sandiganbayan pointed out.
The prosecution likewise mentioned the direct and circumstantial evidence establishing her active role in facilitating the fraudulent disbursement of government funds and proof of her “collusion” with Aranas and Guiang through her submission of falsified sub-allotment release orders to facilitate disbursements; active coordination in ensuring the unlawful release of public funds; and receipt of proceeds from the fraudulent transactions.
“The accused was a private individual who conspired with public officers. While Maslog was not a public officer, her collaboration with Aranas and Guiang-who had control over the disbursement of public funds-makes her equally liable under Section 3(e) of RA 3019,” the anti-graft court said.
“The accused, with evident bad faith, caused undue injury to the government. The fraudulent transactions resulted in the illegal disbursement of millions of pesos, causing grave injury to the government and unwarranted benefits to Esteem Enterprises,” it added.
Maslog, along with Aranas and Guiang was implicated in a P24-million graft case in 1998.
They were accused of allegedly faking records to secure payments from the Department of Budget and Management.
In 2020, Aranas and Guiang were both convicted and sentenced to a maximum of prison term of 10 years by the Sandiganbayan.
Meanwhile, Maslog’s case was archived as she was reported to have died in 2019.
The anti-graft court was only informed about her purported death in November 2020.
