Ex-Koronadal MTC execs charged with graft

MANILA, Philippines, Philippines- The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against two former Koronadal City Municipal Trial Court (MTC) officials for allegedly misusing P1 million in judicial funds. 

In a ruling dated Oct. 24, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said there is probable cause against former MTC presiding judge Agustin Sardido and former clerk of court Normandie Ines.  

The charges stemmed from the financial and judicial audit on the records and books of account of the MTC, which discovered that P1.07 million in Judiciary Development Fund, Clerk of Court General Fund and Fiduciary Fund were unaccounted for.

During the investigation, Sardido admitted borrowing money from the funds amounting to P582,500 to pay for the education of his children and a second-hand vehicle.  

The ombudsman said Ines and Sardido conspired with each other in the embezzlement of the missing funds, with Ines deliberately failing to issue official receipts.

“Payment, reimbursement, restitution or indemnification of the amount malversed will not in any way exonerate an accused since they are not among those circumstances for extinction of criminal liability,” Morales said.