Philpost exec charged

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Philippine Postal Corp. (Philpost) has been charged before a Manila court for allegedly embezzling P1.38 million of the agency’s funds.

Cristina Sapiera, acting postmaster of Philpost – Pandacan, was charged with malversation of public funds.

Sapiera was accused of misappropriating P1,387,667.91 for her own personal use and benefits from Oct. 18, 2005 to March 14, 2007.

The Manila prosecutor’s office recommended the filing of the case against Sapiera based on a report of the Philpost’s Internal Audit.

A P40,000 bail was recommended for Sapiera's temporary liberty.

Citing the agency’s audit report, Philpost Prosecution Division chief lawyer Margarita Basco said Sapiera embezzled the amount by overstating the deposits entered in the cashbook.

Basco said Sapiera failed to account for the missing funds.

Sapiera denied the accusations.