Former MisOcc Congressman, 2 Others, Convicted For Graft

By Mona Lagbas

Former Congressman Loreto Leo S. Ocampos of Misamis Occidental's 2nd district and two others have been convicted by the Sandiganbayan for graft for their involvement in the misuse of priority development assistance funds or PDAF in 2013.

Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona, in a 31-page ruling dated June 10, 2025, found Ocampos and two non-government organization (NGO) officials, namely Josefina Candole and Jamie Ann Linsangan of Rich Islas de Filipinas Foundation Inc. (RIDFFI) guilty of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds and falsification of public documents.

A complaint lodged in 2022 alleged that Ocampos misused his PDAF for a project coursed through RIDFFI. The former Congressman then certified that RIDFFI completed the project and made it appear that it had distributed business starter kits but this was not implemented.

The court held that the evidence manifested that the PDAF-funded projects were never implemented, adding that documents were fabricated and that the supposed beneficiaries denied receiving starter kits.

The court sentenced the accused to ten years imprisonment for graft, four to ten years for malversation and two to eight years for falsification. Perpetually disqualified to hold public office, the accused were also ordered to pay a fine of P2.1 million.