Sandigan affirms conviction of ex-Palawan vice governor

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has upheld its earlier decision finding former Palawan vice governor David Ponce de Leon guilty of estafa for padding the food expenses during the launch of the provincial anti-drug council.

In a resolution promulgated on April 10, the anti-graft court said the Office of the Ombudsman proved that De Leon and his two co-accused altered the official receipts of the meal and snacks in 2002.

The ombudsman said the accused changed the amount stated in the receipts from P2,975 to P12,975 and from P343.11 to P205,000.

The court junked De Leon’s argument that he approved the disbursement vouchers in good faith as there was no indication that the receipts were falsified.

Also denied were the motions filed by De Leon’s co-accused Anita Salas, audit analyst, and Adonis Grande, executive assistant.

In January, the Sandiganbayan found De Leon and Salas guilty of two counts each of estafa through falsification of public documents.

 They were sentenced to eight to 20 years in prison.

Grande was found guilty of one count of the same offense and was sentenced to four to 10 years in prison.