Baguio village treasurer gets 8 years for falsification

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay treasurer in Baguio City has been sentenced to up to eight years in prison for falsifying a list of recipients of rubber boots, vests and other protective gear purchased by the barangay in 2015.

Romel Beltran of Camp 7 was found guilty of falsification by a public officer under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code, according to a 65-page ruling promulgated on Tuesday by the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division.

The anti-graft court upheld the decision of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3 dated Feb. 15, 2023, which convicted Beltran of the offense.

The sixth division, meanwhile, granted the motion for reconsideration of barangay captain Constancio Danao to overturn his conviction by the RTC, saying his participation in the offense was not established.

The case stemmed from Beltran and Danao’s alleged falsification of a list of recipients of the protective gear, which were purchased from J & J Tools and General Merchandise for P369,249.

The prosecution said the signatures opposite the names of four people on the list of recipients were forged. It said there was no proof that the supposed recipients received the items.

The Baguio City RTC Branch 3 had earlier sentenced Beltran and Danao to four to eight years in prison.

However, the Sandiganbayan said records show that Beltran prepared and submitted the list of recipients.

Danao merely noted the transmittal letter and executed a certification that checks were issued to J & J Tools and General Merchandise, the sixth division said.