THE Sandiganbayan Fourth Division sentenced on Friday, March 1, Samar Second District Representative Milagrosa Tan to 62 to 115 years imprisonment for eight counts of graft over the anomalous purchase of P16.1 million worth of medicines for typhoon victims during her term as governor in 2001.

In its decision, the anti-graft body also ruled guilty beyond reasonable doubt in all charges for the co-accused Rolando Montejo and Reynaldo Yabut in violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The anti-graft court also sentenced Tan, who is running as provincial governor in the upcoming May 13 elections, to perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The three accused reportedly paid P240,000 each for their provisional liberty as they pursue on the reversal of the conviction.

The court, however, acquitted other co-accused, Romeo Reales, Maximo Sison Jr., Aurelio Bardaje Jr. and Numeriano Legaspi, "for failure of the prosecution to prove their culpability beyond reasonable doubt."

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Bayani Jacinto, with the concurrence of Division Chairperson Alex Quiroz and Associate Justice Reynaldo Cruz.

The plunder charges against Tan and others were filed by Isog Han Samar Movement before the Office of the Ombudsman. (SunStar Philippines)