The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the Sandiganbayan conviction of former Dapitan City Mayor Joseph Cedrick O. Ruiz for corruption and malversation involving nearly P1 million in confidential and intelligence funds.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando dated 27 January, the SC’s First Division found Ruiz guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation of public funds.

Eight years imprisonment for each violation, perpetual disqualification from public office, and a fine of P950,000-equivalent to the amount misappropriated was imposed by the high bench.

The case stemmed from events in 2001, weeks before Ruiz’s mayoral term ended.

The deputy chief of police was directed by Ruiz to one Pepe Nortal to request a cash advance of P1 million, representing the city’s entire confidential fund for the year, ostensibly to address post-election violence.

Despite objections from finance officers, Ruiz approved and signed the disbursement documents.

Nortal encashed the check, turned the funds over to Ruiz, and received only P50,000 for police operations.

The remainder was unaccounted for, prompting Nortal to file a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman.

The SC found that Ruiz committed malversation when he used the confidential funds for personal gain, rather than for their intended purpose.

The court held that if Ruiz genuinely intended to address post-election violence, he would not have requested the full annual allocation at once.

The withdrawal depleted the city’s intelligence funds, forcing a realignment of resources and causing undue injury to the city government.

It also noted Ruiz’s bad faith because he could not directly request additional funds due to previous unliquidated advances, so he used Nortal as a proxy while still acting as a co-requesting official.

Ruiz persisted with the disbursement despite objections and misrepresented Nortal’s bond status to push the transaction through.

The SC, in its decision, reiterated that public office is a public trust, warning officials against using their positions for personal enrichment.