Due to several re-settings of the scheduled hearings, the Sandiganbayan has decided to terminate the presentation of evidence by former Postmaster General Maria Josefina Mendoza Dela Cruz who, instead, was directed to file her formal offer of evidence in 15 days.
Dela Cruz, then of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), was charged with violations of Republic Act No. 8291, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997.
She, together with current Eastern Mindanao Area Director Bernardito Villagonzalo Gonzales and Accountant V Arlene Oliveros Bendanillo, were accused of allegedly conspiring and confederating in the non-remittance of the loan amortizations of PhilPost employee Santos Jose Pamatong Jr.
The prosecution claimed that Dela Cruz, Villagonzalo and Bendanillo started the non-remittance of Pamatong’s amortizations in October 2011 until December 2012.
It said the total un-remitted amortizations ballooned to P35,178.45 to the prejudice of Pamatong.
"Considering that the accused (Dela Cruz) has moved for several re-settings, and has undertaken to reset the hearing of the initial presentation of her evidence for the last time, she is now deemed to have terminated the presentation of her evidence," the Sandiganbayan’s resolution stated.
“In this connection, she is directed to file her Formal Offer of Evidence within 15 days from receipt of this resolution," it added.
The court’s resolution was written by Associate Justice Georgina D. Hidalgo with the concurrence of Seventh Division Chairperson Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta and Associate Justice Zaldy V. Trespeses.