Malversation raps filed against Tangke ex-barangay treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman filed a case of malversation of public funds against a former barangay treasurer of Tangke, Talisay City, Cebu before the Regional Trial Court-Office of the City Prosecutor Cebu City Criminal Division the other day.

Office of the Ombudsman’s graft investigation and prosecution officer Maria Corazon Vergara-Naraja, in an information approved by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol, claimed that Teresita Bas allegedly committed the crime from March 2003 to November 10, 2006.

The information stated that Bas, then the barangay treasurer of Tangke, Talisay City was in the possession and custody of public funds amounting to P2,920,583.56, constituting the cash advances issued to her, for which she is accountable by reason of the duties of her office.

The information added that the accused misappropriated and used the amount for her own benefit.

An P80,000.00 bail is recommended for her temporary liberty.

The anti-graft office in their resolution dated August 16, 2010, found probable cause to indict Bas for the said crime.

Last December 7, 2007, the anti-graft office received a letter from a concerned citizen inquiring about the result of the audit conducted by the Commission on Audit on the shortage allegedly incurred by Bas.

Bas, in her counter-affidavit, stated that the presumption of malversation does not exist in her case because the money that were said to be unaccounted for were not spent or put to her personal use but were disbursed for official purposes. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JPM (THE FREEMAN)