Ex-PSC exec fined P4.27 M for unliquidated cash advances

MANILA, Philippines — The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has ordered former Philippine Sports Commissioner Eric Loretizo to pay a fine of P4.27 million as he pleaded guilty of criminal charges in connection with his unliquidated cash advances in 2006 to 2011 amounting P2.8 million.

In a decision promulgated on Aug. 2, the court’s Second Division granted Loretizo’s appeal to plead guilty to lesser crimes as against the original charges filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Loretizo was allowed to be re-arraigned on the same date, during which he pleaded guilty to 38 counts of failure to render accounts under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The Ombudsman originally charged Loretizo with seven counts of failure to render accounts and 31 counts of malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the RPC.

Malversation of public funds carries a penalty of four to seven years of imprisonment for each count.

The Second Division noted that the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman raised no objection during Loretizo’s offer to withdraw his “not guilty plea” and instead plead guilty to lesser offenses in exchange for the dropping of the malversation cases.