Ex-Abra mayor gets 11 years for fund misuse

BAGUIO CITY – The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former mayor of a town in Abra to a maximum of 11 years in prison over his unliquidated cash advances.

Former Baay-Licuan mayor Aunnielyne Castillo was found guilty of three counts of malversation of public funds. He was also ordered to pay a fine of P2,154,141.79.

Investigation showed Castillo received two checks worth P1,250,000 and P260,000 and a disbursement voucher worth P644,141.79 from April to June 2001.

The Commission on Audit (COA) said the disbursement vouchers were missing.

Graft probers said Castillo failed to liquidate the amount despite repeated demands.

“Accused committed irregularities in the usage and issuance of the cash advances drawn from municipal funds in violation of Section 339 of the Local Government Code…and COA Circular 92-382 and 97-000,” the court ruling penned by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez Estoeta read.

“No legally specified purpose was given for the issuance of the cash advances… Considering that the accused named herself as the payee, the municipal funds essentially became her personal piggy bank from which she could easily obtain cash and... utilize the same with unfettered discretion,” it added.

Under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, malversation of public funds or property is committed when a public officer “appropriate…or misappropriate… consent or through abandonment or negligence permit any other person to take such public funds or property, wholly or partially.”