Arrest warrant out vs ex-Sultan Kudarat lawmaker Arnulfo Go in malversation case

ANTI-GRAFT COURT. The Sandiganbayan in Quezon City. Jansen Romero/Rappler Former Sultan Kudarat representative Arnulfo Go and two others are also facing separate charges linked to the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund when he served as a congressman MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant against former Sultan Kudarat representative Arnulfo Go and three others in a malversation case involving over P8.8 million in public funds, with another warrant expected to be issued in a separate but related case. The court’s 3rd Division issued the warrant on July 27 against Go, former Lebak, Sultan Kudarat mayor Dionesio Besana, municipal accountant Allan Bayani, and municipal treasurer Mario Labrador. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the malversation charges earlier in July, and the prosecution had recommended that no bail be granted for the four accused, according to Sandiganbayan 3rd Division clerk of court Dennis Pulma. Such are non-bailable because the amount allegedly involved exceeds the threshold that carries a penalty of reclusion perpetua upon conviction. A hold departure order has been issued to prevent them from leaving the country. Pulma said the four remain at large. They are also facing separate charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act linked to the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Go when he served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2016. A 2014 special audit by the Commission on Audit (COA) identified Go among lawmakers whose PDAF allocations were allegedly coursed through questionable non-governmental organizations, with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) serving as an intermediary. State auditors said P15 million from Go’s PDAF was released to the NCMF, which later transferred the funds to Rich Islas de Filipinas Foundation Incorporated (RIDFFI). RIDFFI had also been identified as a recipient of PDAF allocations linked to former Misamis Occidental representative Loreto Leo Campos. Campos, who also once served as governor of Misamis Occidental, was convicted by the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division in 2025 on one count each of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents, along with NGO executives Josefina Candole and Jamie Ann Llinsangan. They were slapped with a 10- to 20-year imprisonment sentence and barred from holding public office for life. The Sandiganbayan’s 4th Division is expected to act on another non-bailable malversation charge against Go and his co-accused, with an arrest warrant expected by Friday, July 31. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading