Saturday, December 08, 2007 Travel agent jailed By Dante M. Fabian
ANGELES CITY -- A former manager of the Wild Orchid Travel and Tours along Fields Avenue was detained sans bail at the Angeles City District Jail on charges of qualified theft filed by her former employer.
Sun Star Pampanga learned Friday that Judge Irin Zenaida Buan, Regional Trial Court Branch 56 presiding judge, confirmed the detention of Gina Q. Garcia to the Angeles City Dirstrict Jail last November 5 after the latter was arrested in Barangy Dau, Mabalacat town.
Chief Inspector Jovencio Flores, Mabalacat police officer in charge, arrested the suspect by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Buan.
In a complaint filed before the RTC last October 1, Wild Orchid Travel and Tours owners charged Garcia for allegedly embezzling P316,000 of the company's funds.
Garcia was not allowed to post bail as the offense of qualified theft involving an amount in excess of P200,000 is non bailable.
In her complaint affidavit prepared and filed by her counsel, lawyer Melvin Panlilio, Wild Orchid Travel and Tours representative Minerva has disclosed that between the period from March to September 2006, Garcia allegedly stolen an amount of P316,92.75 from Wild Orchid Travel .
In his resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Jaime M. Umlas stated records would show that respondent resigned from the company on September 2006.
Umlas added after the suspect's resignation, an audit of the firm's finances revealed that there were six anomalous transactions perpetrated by the suspect.
Respondent was required to shed light on this matter but failed to do so.
In her counter affidavit, respondent denied the charges against her. She averred that all her transactions were regular and made in behalf of the company.
"In the course of her employment, she embezzled money belonging to the complainant without the latter's consent. Respondent clearly abused the trust and confidence reposed on her by her employer, " Umlas noted.
The denial of the respondent cannot prevail over the positive assertions of the complainant and the documents attached to the complaint. According to Umlas.
Sun Star Pampanga learned that Garcia established her own firm, the Majtika Travel Agency, after leaving Wild Orchid Travel and Tours.
A person related to the owner of the Wild Orchids said the case would not be filed against Garcia if she only manifested intention to return the money she allegedly embezzled.
A manager of the Wild Orchid Group said owners of the business establishment are sad to see Garcia suffer.
"The owners only did what they are entitled to under the law to protect their investment. The operators of the Wild Orchid Group, which also runs hotels, have been very kind to their employees and have treated them like real family members," the manager added.
