The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a former teller of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) for malversation of public funds amounting to P614,742.92 from June 2013 to January 2017.

Affirmed was the decision of the Rizal regional trial court (RTC) which convicted Ma. Amparo E. Salvador, former Bayad Center Teller of PHLPost.

However, instead of the prison term ranging from five to eight years imposed by the RTC, the Sandiganbayan modified the imprisonment to two years, four months and one day to eight years and one day.

The anti-graft court also affirmed Salvador’s payment of fine of P614,742.92 and the restitution to PHLPost of the same amount.

In appealing the RTC’s decision, Salvador told the Sandiganbayan that the prosecution failed to establish that she had custody or control over the missing funds and that she was accountable for them.

Finding her appeal unmeritorious, the anti-graft court said it remains “unrebutted” that she failed to produce upon demand the missing funds or satisfactorily explain how the shortage occurred.

"After a thorough and judicious review of the records, this court finds that the lower court did not commit reversible error in taking cognizance of the instant case inasmuch as it has jurisdiction over the case; and that the lower court did not commit reversible error in convicting accused-appellant Salvador of malversation of public funds," the Sandiganbayan said.  

"Perforce, this court denies the appeal for lack of merit and thereby affirms the assailed decision of the lower court, with modifications only as to the penalty imposed upon accused-appellant Salvador," it ruled.

The 50-page decision was written by Associate Justice Georgina D. Hidalgo with the concurrence of Associate Justices Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta and Zaldy V. Trespeses.