Sandigan affirms malversation raps vs. Baguio village treasurer

Manila: The Sandiganbayan has denied the appeal filed by a barangay treasurer and affirmed the Baguio regional trial court (RTC) in finding him guilty of four counts of malversation of public funds in connection to the cash prizes of a 2011 Sangguinan Kabataaan (SK) sportsfest. In a 27-page decision written by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno dated September 17, the anti-graft court's third division found Barangay Camp 7 treasurer Rommel Beltran guilty and affirmed a prison term of up to 10 years. 'He shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office,' the court said. The amounts involved PHP11,300 representing the cash prizes for the winners in basketball, chess and billiards. The supposed recipients of the cash prizes denied having received the same, as well as signing their names in the payroll used to make it appear that the sums had been correctly released. The Court turned down Beltran's claim that no malice or fraud can be imputed since there is no evidence that he put the public funds in his custody to his personal use. Source: Philippines News Agency