Policewoman faces malversation raps

CEBU - A policewoman designated as the store manager of the PNP service store system-Cebu Branch has been charged with malversation of public funds before the Regional Trial Court yesterday.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Maria Teresa Rafols filed charges of malversation of public funds against SPO1 Phoebe Roa after a cash shortage of P481,225 has been found out in an audit that was conducted last October 22, 2004.

The audit was concentrated particularly in the period covering June 4, 2003 to October 22, 2004 and in the course of the said audit, the cash shortage was found.

The cash on hand at that time was P67,908 exclusive of the checks amounting to P12,476.

A demand letter was sent to the respondent to explain the discrepancy in the cash audit but Roa failed to answer the said letter.

Roa was also asked to file her counter-affidavit when the case was filed in the Office of the Ombudsman last December 13, 2005 but she failed to answer the said complaint.

The elements of malversation under Article 217 constitute that one must be a public officer and has a custody or control of funds or property by reason of the duties of his office and if the officer took, misappropriated or consented, or through abandonment, permitted another person to take them.

The PNP-Service Store System is created under Presidential Decree 875 in 1976 and is considered as a government controlled, non-stock,non-profit corporation. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP (THE FREEMAN)