Pedro G. Resurreccion vs. People GR No. 192866 Jul 09, 2014 Lagare, Julie Mae V
Pedro G. Resurreccion vs. People GR No. 192866 Jul 09, 2014 Lagare, Julie Mae V
PEOPLE
GR No. 192866; Jul 09, 2014
LAGARE, JULIE MAE V.
FACTS:
COA State Auditor, Romeo Corral Uy and Freda Paller Napana of the Provincial
Auditor's Office in Surigao City conducted a special audit and post audit of the
various disbursements, transactions and financial accounts of the Municipality
of Pilar, Surigao del Norte.
ISSUE:
Whether or not Pedro Resurreccion can be held liable of malversation of public
funds.
HELD:
Yes. The Sandiganbayan observed that the procurements for which the public
funds were disbursed did not undergo public bidding based on the COA report
issued by Auditor Uy and the post audit of Auditor. It also noted that the lack
of public bidding and the irregularities attending the disbursement of public
funds were not denied by the accused.
Also, the Sandiganbayan found that all the elements are present: first,
Resurreccion was a public officer at the time of the commission of the crime;
second, the P3,000.00 reimbursement came from the 20% Development
Fund; third, by virtue of his position as Mayor of Pilar, he was accountable for
the public funds; and fourth, by reimbursing the donation he made to a
religious organization, he allowed a third person (Knights of Columbus) to take
the ₱3,000.00 from the 20% Development Fund without legal basis.
Accordingly, the Sandiganbayan convicted Resurreccion and ordered him to
pay a fine of ₱3,000.00.