For incurring a cash shortage of P172,570.00 in the slaughter fee collections from the Blumentritt Public Market, Vilma Ibay of the Veterinary Inspection Board, was convicted by the Manila Regional Trial Court (Branch 22) of Malversation of Public Funds and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).
Ibay was sentenced to suffer imprisonment of 10 to 18 years for Malversation and 8 years for violation of R.A. No. 3019. She was also ordered to pay a fine of P172,570.00 with perpetual disqualification from public service.
The Commission on Audit reported that from November 2000 to June 2001, Ibay’s total collections should be P929,916.70, however, she only remitted P757,346.70.
Under the Revised Penal Code, Ibay’s failure to account for public funds which came into her possession by reason of her official duties is prima facie evidence that she appropriated or misappropriated, or has put the missing funds to her personal use.
“The acts of the accused caused undue injury to the government,” the Decision stated. ###