Woman faces arrest over theft

CEBU, Philippines — An ex-girlfriend of a foreign executive of a business process outsourcing company in Mandaue City is facing arrest for four counts of qualified theft after she allegedly transferred P2 million of company funds to her personal account without the knowledge of her former boyfriend.

Regional Trial Court Branch 28 Judge Allan Francisco Garciano issued the warrant of arrest against Janet Machica, 37, of Legaspi Village, Makati City on October 24, 2018. The case stemmed from the complaint filed by David Chetrit, majority stockholder and president of PANSSAM, Inc. in Banilad, Mandaue City.

 Chetrit said that Machica pulled off the alleged crime with the help of Bethany Melienche Ramos, 30, of Upper Pakigne, Minglanilla; and Ana Loreta Andrada, 26, of Cabangahan, Consolacion.

Ramos and Andrada have already posted bail at P260,000 each on October 31, 2018. Machica remains at-large.

Chetrit said the accused connived each other in stealing his company’s money amounting to $52,582.72 or equivalent to more or less P2 million. Ramos was a member of the Board of Directors while Andrada was an employee of the BPO company owned by Chetrit.

 Chetrit alleged that the suspects started their illegal activities sometime in November 2012 but was only discovered by him in April 2017.

On November 21, 2012, Chetrit alleged that the amount of $15,971.50 or the equivalent of P654,831.50 under the account of PANSSAM, Inc. was transferred to the joint account of Ramos and Machica and thereafter to the personal account of the latter without his or the company’s authority.

 On November 22, 2012 another transfer was made involving the amount of $9,740 or the equivalent of P399,340. Six days later, another transfer was made amounting to $4,000 or the equivalent of P164,000. It was repeated on December 19, 2012 involving the amount of $21,871.22.

 The Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office on July 10, 2018 found probable cause against the suspects.—  FPL (FREEMAN)