MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has convicted two former officials of a town in Laguna province for their unauthorized withdrawals from municipality’s bank account amounting to more than PHP300,000 eight years ago.
The anti-graft court convicted former Rizal, Laguna Mayor Rolen Urriquia and municipal treasurer Eva Mendoza for violation of Article 218 or for “failure of accountable officer to render account” of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Section 106 in relation to Section 128 of Presidentialn Decree No. 1445, or the “Government Auditing Code of the Philippines”.
Probe showed that from Mar. 18 to 31, 2010, Urriquia and Mendoza made unauthorized withdrawals from the municipality’s authorized depository bank totaling PHP317,415.35 without any supporting documents.
During re-arraignment, both accused, assisted by their counsel, manifested their intention to change their plea from “not guilty” to “guilty.”
The anti-graft court also ordered the two accused to pay a PHP3,000 total fine each. (PNA)
