A former Mayor of the Municipality of Tayasan, Province of Negros Oriental is facing indictment before the Sandiganbayan for failing to liquidate cash advances granted to him for his travel and field operations expenses. This, after the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause against Anthony Isidro Bayawa III for three counts of Failure of Accountable Officer to Render Accounts punishable under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Aging Schedule of Unliquidated Cash Advances (UCA) showed that Bayawa had a total of P371,908.63 in UCAs granted on various dates from 2002 to 2008.
In its Resolution, the Ombudsman stated that, “records is bereft of evidence showing that respondent submitted his local travel liquidation documents such as certificate of travels, plane or boat tickets, hotel room and lodging bills, certificate of appearance and others, within 30 days after his return to his official station. There is likewise no proof that he was able to submit documents in support for the liquidation of the cash advances for the procurement of accessories for donated vehicles, payment for the freight and handling of the donated vehicles as well as for the expenses during the Pasalamat 2007 festival which should have been submitted to the accountant within 20 days after the end of the year.”
The crime of Failure of Accountable Officer to Render Accounts is punishable by prision correccional in its minimum period, or by a fine ranging from P200.00 to P6,000.00, or both. ###