MANILA — For failing to transmit nearly PHP1 million in collected bail bonds to the Supreme Court for eight years, the Sandiganbayan has ordered a former Koronadal City municipal trial court (MTC) judge to pay a PHP6,000 fine.
In its decision dated Sept. 4, the Sandiganbayan 7th Division found former Koronadal City MTC judge Agustin Sardido guilty of a lesser offense for having collected various cash bail bonds posted by several accused within his jurisdiction from 1993 to 2001, but which he failed to transmit to the High Court.
Sardido was charged with malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code after failing to transmit cash bail bonds from Sept. 21, 1993 to Sept. 30, 2001, amounting to PHP955,026.
Of the total, Sardido managed to give back only PHP582,500.
Last Aug. 24, Sardido appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of failure of accountable officer to render accounts.
“Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered finding accused Agustin Sarido y Tampipi guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the lesser offense of Failure of Accountable Officer to Render Accounts defined and penalized under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code,” the Sandiganbayan said.
“While every person criminally liable for a felony is also civilly liable, no civil liability of the offense charged shall be imposed in view of accused’s full restitution of the unliquidated amount of PHP582,500 to the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court,” it added. (Perfecto Raymundo, Jr./PNA)
