Noveleta vice mayor gets seven years for P1-M funds misuse in 2002

Vice Mayor Dionisio Torres of Noveleta, Cavite has been sentenced to a maximum jail term of more than seven years over the alleged embezzlement of the proceeds o9f a P1 million soft loan from the Office of the President when he was mayor in 2002.

In a 35-page decision dated February 9, the Sandiganbayan Special Third Division found Torres "guilty beyond reasonable doubt of malversation of public funds" and was ordered to pay a fine of more than P1 million.

The Sandiganbayan also penalized Torres for "perpetual special disqualification" from holding public office.

Torres allegedly misappropriated a P1-million soft loan as part of the Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyong Piso program of the Arroyo administration through the President's Social Fund.

Graft investigators found that the amount, which was later withdrawn and converted to Torres' own benefit, was deposited under a separate Land Bank savings account.

In his defense, Torres said the funds were meant to conduct a feasibility study for the Iodized Salt Manufacturing Operation in Noveleta.

He also pointed to then-municipal treasurer Teresita Vales and a certain Vicky Nicanor as the individuals who withdrew to P1 million in four tranches.

Torres said he even filed a case against Vales and Nicanor following a report from the Commission on Audit that there were shortages in the bank accounts and for withdrawing the funds without his consent.

The Sandiganbayan, however, said Torres defense was "insufficient to rebut the prima facie presumption of misappropriation against him."

The anti-graft court said Torres did not dispute the facts that he turned over the P1-million check to Vales and approved the creation of a new Land Bank account under the name of the municipality without the knowledge of the municipal council.

The prosecution had also proven that Torres signed blank withdrawal slips without any supporting documents to pave the way for Vales and Nicanor to withdraw the funds.

"Indeed, the court finds that the accused was palpably negligent in the handling of the subject amount of Php1,000,000.00 which he received for the Municiaplity of Noveleta, Cavite," the decision read.

"As then municipal mayor, the accused had a sworn duty to safely keep public funds and disburse the same in accordance with standard procedure because the subject funds belong to the municipality and must only be used for the benefit of the same," it added.

Torres has filed a motion for reconsideration on his sentence. The Sandiganbayan on Friday gave the prosecution 10 days to file their comment on his appeal. —NB, GMA News