Sandigan convicts female ex-cop
‘She attempted to downplay her role in the case by saying that she had no access to the bank records such that she was not able to verify all the questioned deposits.’
Daily Tribune‘She attempted to downplay her role in the case by saying that she had no access to the bank records such that she was not able to verify all the questioned deposits.’
The Sandiganbayan convicted a former police senior inspector over the embezzlement of more than P7 million of funds of the Philippine National Police back in 1993.
In a 31-page decision promulgated on 5 September but released only over the weekend, the anti-graft court has affirmed the joint decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 88 finding ex-police senior inspector Mercita Eya guilty of malversation of public funds.
Eya was meted up to 29 years in prison for two counts of malversation. She was also ordered to return the P7,260,012 or the amount malversed.
The case stemmed from the disappearance of over P7 million, split into two sums of P4.918 million and P2.341 million, that were intended for the PNP Scholarship Fund and the PNP Trust Receipts.
State auditors discovered that while official receipts and deposit slips were reported as collections of Eya, who was then the collecting officer and fund custodian of the 14th PNP Finance Center Unit, the sum was not reflected or validated in the bank statements of the PNP.
The erstwhile police official, however, brushed off the accusations and argued that the sum was ultimately reflected in the bank statement one month after it was deposited.
Moreover, Eya claimed that she did not take advantage of her official functions, unlawfully misappropriate, embezzle and convert to her personal use and benefits such funds; thus, there can be no basis for her conviction.
The Sandiganbayan, however, contended that the allegations of the QC RTC against Eya were sufficient to describe how the respondent committed the crime of malversation.
"Verily, this phrase demonstrates the modality on how the crime of Malversation of Public Funds was committed by accused-appellant Eya," it said. "Eya cannot deny that she drew her defenses for this allegation."
The anti-graft court also did not buy Eya's claim that she was not informed when the cash books and other documents were examined during the audit.
"She attempted to downplay her role in the case by saying that she had no access to the bank records such that she was not able to verify all the questioned deposits," the Sandiganbayan said.
"She cannot feign ignorance on the basic provisions, concepts and tenets of government accounting. Her position is not just an ordinary post but one that imposes greater responsibility, accountability and knowledge," it added.
