MANILA, Philippines — A branch manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya has been sentenced to 21 to 38 years in prison for allegedly pocketing P8.1 million in educational policy claims.
In a 37-page decision released this week, the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division denied the appeal of Ana Maria Fedelis to reverse a ruling of the Bayombong Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 finding her guilty of malversation as well as violation of the GSIS Act, Access Devices Regulation Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The anti-graft court said Fedelis misappropriated the money intended for education purposes for her personal gain.
The court said Fedelis’ act caused undue injury not only to the GSIS, but to all members of the state pension fund.
The Seventh Division modified Fedelis’ sentence for the malversation case to eight to 12 years in prison from the original 10 to 17 years and four months as imposed by the RTC.
It upheld Fedelis’ conviction for the three cases including a fine amounting to P6.96 million with corresponding interest of six percent per year, starting from the date of the finality of the decision.