THE Office of the Ombudsman has filed a malversation case against a former town mayor in Kalinga for failing to liquidate a total of P626,000 in cash advances in 2001.
According to the information filed before the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict former Pasil town mayor Alfredo Malannag Jr. for malversation and violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Ombudsman said that based on the assessment by the Commission on Audit (COA), Malannag failed to liquidate his cash advances from July 2001 to September 2001 despite repeated demands.
The COA report disclosed that the former mayor was able to pay only the amount of P122,079.84 through deductions from his salary and terminal leaves, while the balance P503,920.16 remained unliquidated as of March 2009.
"[T]he refunds made by the respondent as itemized in the COA Report strengthen the presumption that he misappropriated such unliquidated cash advances," the resolution read.
Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code prohibits a public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for public funds or property, from appropriating the same or shall take or misappropriate or shall consent, through abandonment or negligence, shall permit any other person to take such public funds, or property, wholly or partially. (Sunnex)