[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Sandigan junks case vs ex-San Jose mayor’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Thursday, March 8, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
MANILA – The Sandiganbayan First Division has dismissed the charges against former San Jose, Antique mayor Fernando Corvera for his alleged failure to return unliquidated cash advances over the span of eight years.
In a resolution released publicly on Wednesday, the anti-graft court has dismissed the cases filed against Corvera – now a member of the Antique Sangguniang Panlalawigan – and former San Jose acting municipal accountant Antonio Tordesillas for inordinate delay.
“After considering all the circumstances in these cases, the court is constrained to decree the dismissal of these cases for violation of the right of accused Corvera and Tordesillas to speedy disposition of their cases,” part of the resolution stated.
It added, “Considering that this dismissal is tantamount to an acquittal, the hold departure order issued against the above-named accused by reason of these cases are hereby lifted and set aside, and the bonds they posted are ordered released.”
The Office of the Ombudsman has charged Corvera and Tordesillas with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code in 2017.
This was after Corvera allegedly failed to return a total of P685,477.65 in cash advances from 1999 to 2007 despite repeated demands from the municipal government.
The Ombudsman said Tordesillas conspired with Corvera to prepare fake disbursement vouchers and certified the completeness of supporting documents to make it appear that there were liquidations.
“Corvera’s failure to return the amount under his custody is tantamount to misappropriation or embezzlement of the funds for his and his co-accused’s own personal use and benefits,” the Ombudsman added./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
