The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division sustained its conviction of a non-governmental organization executive over the malversation of P2.4 million in Priority Development Assistance Funds in 2008, rejecting her motion for reconsideration.

In a resolution issued 1 September, justices ruled that arguments presented by Petronila Balmaceda, president of Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc., merely repeated claims previously considered and addressed during court proceedings.

“The court finds no new substantial argument or matter in Balmaceda’s Motion for Reconsideration that would warrant the modification, much less the reversal, of the assailed Decision,” the court stated, affirming its original 30 June verdict.

Balmaceda’s appeal questioned the credibility of prosecution witness Ana Rosario Caniban, who testified regarding the defendant’s involvement in processing anomalous transactions.