The Sandiganbayan convicted former Regional Director Datu Yusoph Mama of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office No. VII of violation of Section 89 of Presidential Decree 1445 (Government Auditing Code) in relation to Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 97-002.
He was sentenced to pay a fine of P1,000.00 and return the amount of P62,499.00 representing the unliquidated cash advances.
Records show that on 31 August 2006, Mama received P394,394.00 as cash advance for expenses to be used for farmers’ trainings and official travels. Despite demands from the COA to account for the funds, Mama failed to fully liquidate the amount within 30 days as required under COA Circular No. 97-002.
“Accused never denied these allegations and even admitted that he has indeed made several cash advances and failed to make the necessary liquidation within the thirty-day period provided by law and despite knowledge of the consequences of his failure to do so, he was not able to liquidate the same and left unliquidated cash advances amounting to P62,499.00 and which he has not yet returned to the office,” stated the Sandiganbayan Decision. ###