The Sandiganbayan on Thursday sentenced former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director IV Honorita B. Bayudan to 20 to 28 years in prison.

The ruling comes after Bayudan was proven guilty of graft and malversation charges in connection to ₱5 million in Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF)—commonly known as pork barrel funds—linked to former Pasay Rep. Consuelo Dy in 2007.

Based on records in the court’s possession, the DSWD and non-government organization (NGO) Unlad Pinoy Organization Inc. (UPOI) signed an agreement for a livelihood and skills training project to aid the poor.

The Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation found that Bayudan allowed the entire ₱5 million to be released on March 29, 2007, even though only ₱1.5 million should have been released initially, with the remaining ₱3.5 million to be released only after a report had been submitted and an inspection had been conducted.

The anti-graft court stressed that this proves the former social welfare official had shown unjust favor and squandered government funds.

As a result, Bayudan was sentenced to six years and one month until 10 years in prison for her graft case, while she is subject to 14 years, eight months, and one day, up to 18 years, three months, and one day in prison for her malversation case.