School secretary convicted of estafa
A former secretary of an English academic institution was convicted of estafa for allegedly using for personal purposes the checks of the school which were for the payment of the telephone bill.
Maria Ruth Barnes was sentenced to suffer imprisonment six months to four years and two months each for the two counts of estafa and four months to two years and four months for another one count of estafa.
Aside from imprisonment, Barnes was also ordered to pay P188,643.68 to private complainant, International Mark & James represented by Marianne Tirol.
Barnes was charged with estafa after she allegedly converted to her personal use the checks intended for Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT).
Barnes allegedly received three checks from the school in the amount of P87,319.68; P87,319.68; and P54,824 with the obligation to deliver these to PLDT as payment.
However, Barnes allegedly did not deliver the checks to PLDT despite repeated demands.
Barnes denied the accusations filed against her and maintained that she was innocent.
She believes the charges were harassment suits because she squealed that most of the teachers and dormitory staff did not have any SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG benefits.
Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10 found Barnes guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
"In the case at bar, the testimony of the accused was inconsistent. She claimed that there was no demand for her to return the money but she executed a promissory note to return the same," read the decision.
Aside from the inconsistencies, Peras added all the elements of estafa were present.
"The accused in this case was tasked with handling the payments for the payables of the company. She is the one who will fill up the details of the checks which shall be given to the director to be signed by the latter. Thus, she is the one entrusted with the check after the latter is signed by the proper officer to be delivered to the intended payee of the check," the decision furthered reads. —
Manto/MBG
Mylen P.