Woman to spend 14 years in jail for bouncing checks

CEBU, Philippines - A woman was sentenced to spend at least 14 years in jail after the checks she issued to a businessman seven years ago “bounced.”

Regional Trial Court Branch 2 presiding judge Anatalio S. Necesario found Mary Ann Anino, of Carcar City guilty of issuing 19 bouncing checks Allan Dy, a businessman and a resident of Plaridel St., Cebu City.

The complainant stated that he came to know the accused when she was introduced by a salesman sometime in 1997 or 1998.

Dy said the 19 checks issued by Anino were payment for the sacks of rice that was purchased by the accused from him. However, when the businessman tried to deposit the checks into his account, they were returned by the bank as Anino’s account was already closed.

But in her affidavit, Anino explained that prior to the issuance of the checks, she made a good previous checks issued to the complainant amounting P32,047,960.03.

She also admitted that the aforesaid checks were dishonored prior to the filing of the insolvency case and that she received the letter from the complainant to which her lawyer had already responded.

But the court gave merit to the explanation of the complainant and found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of 19 counts of violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22 and sentenced her to suffer imprisonment of three months for each count of violation or equivalent to more than 14 years of imprisonment.

The court also ordered Anino to pay civil indemnity to the private complainant in the amounts represented by the checks with 12 percent interest per year.   (FREEMAN NEWS)