MANILA, Philippines – A former treasurer in San Pablo City, Laguna, allegedly borrowed cash from local government collections on a promise to repay it the same day, only to have her checks bounce due to insufficient funds.
The former official, Angelita Belen, has signed a plea bargain agreement with prosecutors, opting to plead guilty to a lesser charge rather than face trial on three counts of malversation of public funds. The plea deal was greenlit by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
Based on the deal reached on December 23, 2024, Belen agreed to withdraw the not-guilty plea she entered at her July 5, 2024 arraignment and instead plead guilty to “failure of an accountable officer to render accounts.”
The 3rd division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan approved the plea agreement on February 28, and set a re-arraignment date for March 21.
Belen was accused of juggling P277,340 in funds collected from public market operations and local taxes, a sum that was intended to beef up San Pablo’s city treasury.
The complaint, filed in 2010 by Commission on Audit-Region IV Director Eden Rafanan, alleged that Belen borrowed cash from daily collections on a promise to repay within the day. Rather than return the money, she allegedly issued checks that later bounced due to insufficient funds.
Although Belen eventually reimbursed the full amount, the ombudsman maintained that her actions were marked by bad faith and an intent to defraud. – Rappler.com