THE Sandiganbayan has denied yet another bail petition from Mary Ann Maslog, a central figure in the ₱24-million textbook procurement anomaly dating back to 1998.
Maslog, who also goes by the alias “Dra. Jesica Sese Francisco,” filed her second motion for reconsideration on December 12, 2024. This motion sought to overturn the court’s earlier resolution rejecting her “Very Respectful Urgent Motion to Lift Bench Warrant and/or Post Bail” filed on November 25, 2024.
In its December 19, 2024 resolution, the Sandiganbayan Second Division found Maslog’s arguments “bereft of merit” after a thorough review of submissions from both the defense and the prosecution.
Court’s Reasoning:
While the court acknowledged that the right to bail is constitutionally protected under Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution, it stressed that this right is not absolute.
The court cited Maslog’s repeated evasive actions, including jumping bail, using multiple aliases, and fleeing abroad, as a “grave violation of her legal obligations.”
Maslog had previously been granted bail in 2017 but failed to appear at subsequent hearings, thereby abandoning her commitment to face trial. The court emphasized that her use of false identities, including “Dra. Jesica Sese Francisco,” demonstrated a deliberate intent to evade accountability.
“Despite overwhelming evidence, such as the fingerprint analysis conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), she persisted in claiming a false identity, showcasing her deliberate efforts to mislead authorities,” the court’s resolution stated.
Arrest and Additional Findings:
Maslog was arrested by NBI agents on September 25, 2024, following complaints against a certain “Jessica Francisco.” A fingerprint analysis confirmed that Maslog and Francisco were the same person.
Adding to her history of evasion, the court noted that Maslog’s child had falsely reported her as deceased to further mislead authorities and stall prosecution.
“Taken together, the totality of her actions—her history of absconding, failure to voluntarily appear before the court, and use of spurious identities—proves a high probability of flight. Her past conduct makes any assurance of her compliance with bail conditions wholly unreliable,” the court declared.
The resolution warned that granting bail under such circumstances would erode public trust in the judicial system. “The accused-movant’s deliberate and repeated violations of her bail obligations, combined with her pattern of evasion, disqualify her from availing of the privilege of bail,” it added.
Background on the Case:
Maslog, a publishing company agent, was charged alongside two Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (now Department of Education) officials for graft in connection with the anomalous textbook procurement deal.
The Office of the Ombudsman alleged that the two DECS officials approved and processed documents for a ₱24-million supply contract favoring Esteem Enterprises, a company represented by Maslog.
In 2020, the two former DECS officials were convicted and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. Maslog’s case was dismissed in 2019 following false reports of her death.
The Bench Warrant for Maslog’s arrest remains in effect to ensure her presence at trial, and the court dismissed her claims of procedural irregularities, stating they lacked supporting evidence.