VILLAVERDE,
Nueva Vizcaya - The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former of this town to a
maximum of 18 years in prison for malversation of public funds.
Former Villaverde mayor Rodrigo Tabita Sr.
failed to account for P4.3 million in cash advances from 1993 to 2001, the
Office of the Ombudsman announced Monday.
Prosecutors presented 87 vouchers to prove
that Tabita received the amount, which the municipal government used for travel
expenses, school supplies and other projects.
In his defense, Tabita said he signed blank
forms to make the cash advances because it was the “usual practice” when he was
mayor.
The Sandiganbayan said Tabita’s explanation
was “inadequate and self-serving for lack of corroboration, either documentary
or testimonial.”
Tabita was meted the accessory penalty of
perpetual disqualification from holding public office and ordered to pay a fine
of P4,372,595.73.
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