FORMER Misamis Oriental Governor Antonio “Bong” Calingin is meted with life imprisonment after being found guilty of 15 counts graft by the Sandiganbayan over the anomalous housing project in 1996.

In a decision promulgated March 22, the Sandiganbayan convicted Calingin of 15 counts for violating Section 3(e) of the anti-graft law, or causing injury to the government by giving unwarranted benefits to a party.

Likewise, Calingin, who also became mayor of Claveria, Misamis Oriental also received one count for violating section 3(h) of the same law, or having direct or indirect pecuniary interest to a government.

Each count amounts to an indeterminate penalty of six years imprisonment, perpetual disqualification from public office, and is ordered to indemnify the government with an amount worth more than P7 million. He will be imprisoned for a total of 90 to 120 years.

The decision was signed by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna.

The case stemmed from the controversial Balay Ticala housing projects in 1995 and the anomalous reimbursements of more than P7 million under his name.

He was also charged for the anomalous heavy equipment rental without prior public bidding.