Avelino Cruz, a barangay chairman in Manila was convicted by the Regional Trial Court (Branch 06) of Manila of three counts of Malversation of Public Funds for consenting to and permitting a certain Ramil Rodriguez to receive the P2,400 quarterly wage of his deceased father, a street sweeper, without proper appointment and consent of the barangay council. He was sentenced to imprisonment ranging from two to seven years for each count. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of P7,000.00 and was meted the accessory penalty of perpetual special disqualification.
According to Presiding Judge Jansen Rodriguez, “the barangay [chairman], as chief executive, is responsible for all government funds pertaining to the barangay.” ###