Ex-Samar LGU exec gets 18 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines — A former provincial accountant of Samar was sentenced to up 18 years in prison for pocketing P76,500 and making it appear that the amount was paid to job order employees who were found to be non-existent.

In a 64-page decision promulgated on June 25, the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division said Romeo Reales was found guilty of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

Reales was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for graft and up to eight years for the malversation offense. He was also ordered perpetually disqualified from holding public office and to pay a fine of P76,500 and another P76,500 in civil liability to the provincial government.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Reala disbursed the amount for the supposed salaries of job order employees for October and November in 2005.

The anti-graft agency said Reales “misappropriated the funds for his personal use and benefit” and falsified the timebook, payroll and daily time records to make it appear that the supposed employees rendered actual services.

The court said documentary evidence submitted by the prosecution, which all bore Reales’ signature, point to his “well-thought-out” plan to commit the crime.

“This well-thought-out payroll fraud materialized due largely to the shrewd participation and brash intervention of accused in the following phases: the ghost employees must be added to the payroll, timekeeping and wage rate information must be collected, a paycheck must be issued to the ghost employees and the check must be delivered to the perpetrator or an accomplice,” the court ruling read.

“He is criminally responsible for creating ghost employees and defrauding the public office he has sworn to serve and protect,” the court said.