Ex-Nueva Ecija mayor gets 10-16 years for malversation

The Sandiganbayan has found the former mayor of Laur, Nueva Ecija, guilty of malversation of public funds for allegedly using P3.5 million worth of government money for his personal use.

In a decision dated September 14, the Fourth Division sentenced former Mayor Blas Almazan Canlas to a prison sentence of 10 to 16 years and ordered him to indemnify the municipality of Laur in the sum of P3.5 million.

The conviction also comes with the accessory penalty of perpetual special disqualification from holding public office.

The Commission on Audit had found unliquidated cash advances when it studied the financial transactions of Laur for 2006. It said the cash advances were made by Canlas and then-municipal treasurer Aqueda Santos.

Canlas' successor, Alvaro Daus, learned of the outstanding balance upon his assumption in office and instructed municipal accountant Marina Padilla to demand the funds' return.

Canlas, however, failed to respond to the demand letters, thus forcing Daus to sue him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The former local chief executive attempted to dismiss the charge against him outright through a demurrer to evidence, but the Sandiganbayan denied his bid after it found sufficient basis to try him.

Upon a review of the prosecution's evidence, the Sandiganbayan said Canlas released 13 checks worth a total of P3.5 million in 2016, but none has been settled to date.

Canlas supposedly used the funds for intelligence expenses, telephone bills, and for trainings. Six disbursement vouchers had unspecified purposes.

"Regardless of the propriety of the stated purpose for the disbursements, or the presence or absence of a proven public purpose, these checks were released to him and which he encashed. Despite the receipt of the same, however, accused failed to liquidate the said cash advance," the Sandiganbayan said.

The Sandiganbayan said Canlas clearly had custody of the funds and his failure to liquidate them despite demands from the COA and the local government is enough to convict him.

"Thus, absent any evidence that the funds were used for a legitimate public purpose, there is sufficient proof that accused Canlas is culpable for the felony of malversation of public funds," the court said. —KBK, GMA News