The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Isabela State University president Aleth Misola Mamauag of graft charges related to the 2012 purchase of a property in Fairview, Quezon City. The court stated that prosecutors failed to prove bad faith or negligence on her part. The decision was issued on March 12, 2026.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Sandiganbayan's 2nd division in Quezon City issued a decision acquitting Aleth Misola Mamauag, former president of Isabela State University (ISU), of charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The case involved the university's 2012 acquisition of a property in Fairview, Quezon City, valued at P6.2 million. She was charged in 2025 with causing undue injury to the state university by approving a P5.1 million payment, despite the Board of Regents authorizing only P4.5 million and the property having an encumbrance.
The 23-page resolution, signed by Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona, and Associate Justice Gener Gito, stated that prosecutors failed to establish Mamauag's criminal liability beyond reasonable doubt. None of the prosecution witnesses testified to any wrongdoing or negligence by her. Records showed the Board of Regents approved the P4.5 million budget, Mamauag signed the contract of sale, and the university paid in three tranches.
However, the property title was never transferred to the university. The court noted, 'the questioned actions, good or bad, are to be credited to the group. A board resolution is a group decision.' Additionally, Mamauag initiated legal action in 2014 to rescind the agreement at the Regional Trial Court in Echague, Isabela, with former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay as counsel. 'The Court recognizes that the earnest effort of accused Mamauag to recover the sum of money on behalf of the University negates bad faith,' the decision said.
The court granted the defense's demurrer to evidence, challenging the sufficiency of the prosecution's case, resulting in an acquittal that cannot be appealed. The hold departure order against her was also lifted.
