Ex-Abra mayor gets 26 years over P2 million cash advances

MANILA, Philippines — A fomer municipal mayor in Abra has been sentenced to 26 years in prison in connection with her allegedly anomalous cash advances amounting to P2.15 million.

In a decision issued recently by the Sandiganbayan, former Licuan-Baay mayor Aunnielyne Castillo was found guilty of three counts of malversation as provided under the Revised Penal Code.

Aside from imprisonment, the Sandiganbayan ordered Castillo to pay a fine of P2.15 million or equivalent to the amount she allegedly pocketed.

The anti-graft court said the Office of the Ombudsman was able to prove that Castillo received the cash advances from April 2001 to June 2001.

The court said that Castillo admitted during trial that she received the amount in the form of two checks and a disbursement voucher.

The court cited a special audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA), showing the release of the cash advances were not supported by documents.

The Sandiganbayan said the COA sent two demand letters to Castillo on July 20 and Aug. 9, 2001, requiring her to liquidate the cash advances.

Castillo reportedly failed to comply with the COA directive.

The court said the issuance of cash advances without a specified purpose violated the Local Government Code and two COA circulars. 

The decision was penned by Sandiganbayan Seventh Division chair Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta and concurred in by Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Bayani Jacinto.