Court convicts Manila barangay execs over gas reimbursements

April 24, 2017

Former chairman Lara Mae Reyes and treasurer Stephanie Belle Maño of Barangay 748, Zone 81, District V, Manila have been convicted for  illegally claiming reimbursements for gasoline expenses in 2004 worth P10,000, a statement by the Office of Ombudsman said Monday. Investigation found the vehicle was unserviceable and considered as junk. In a decision rendered by Presiding Judge Marlina Manuel of the Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 25, Reyes and Maño were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 3(e) of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, in which they were meted out the penalty of six years to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. The duo was also convicted of four counts of malversation of public funds through falsification and were sentenced to six to 13 years imprisonment with perpetual special disqualification.  Reyes and Maño were ordered to pay a fine of P2,500.00 for each count of the offense. Ombudsman prosecutors proved during the trial the accused showed evident bad faith by fraudulently claiming reimbursements of P2,500 per quarter purportedly used for a jeep-type patrol vehicle. The court observed that “the receipts submitted by the accused in support of their claim for reimbursement, indeed, do not show the vehicle in which the gasoline was loaded.” DMS