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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan affirms conviction of Baguio City barangay official for malversation of public funds

Sandiganbayan affirms conviction of Baguio City barangay official for malversation of public funds

Published Mar 26, 2025 03:02 am

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a barangay (village) official in Baguio City in four counts of malversation of public funds involving P52,000 cash prizes during the 2011 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) sportsfest in 2011.

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Affirmed was the conviction of councilman Romel H. Beltran who, in 2022, was found guilty by the Baguio City regional trial court (RTC).

Beltran's appeal before the Sandiganbayan was denied in 2024.  He filed a motion for reconsideration of the anti-graft court's decision but it was rejected.

In his motion, Beltran pointed out that there was no plroof showing that he took, misappropriated, or permitted another person from taking the cash prizes.

However, the anti-graft court denied Beltran's motion as it pointed out that the arguments he raised in his motion have already been passed upon after a careful consideration of the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense.

As the accountable officer for the cash prizes, the court held Beltran liable for malversation of P52,000, which were encashed on April 12, 2013. The winners denied receiving the cash prizes and disputed the payroll which showed that they have already claimed the money, it said.

The six-page resolution was written by Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno with the concurrence of Third Division Chairperson Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda and Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez.

Related Tags

Baguio City regional trial court Sandiganbayan City Treasurer Malversation
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