EXPLAINER: Why Carmen, Cebu accountant got off on malversation, illegal use of public funds. Cases caution on how one becomes accountable for public money or property.
Sandiganbayan Former Accountant Dinah C. Barriga of Carmen town in Cebu has been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of malversation and illegal use of public funds allegedly committed 27 years ago. Barriga was charged with misappropriating P23,047.20 in January 1996. The money was intended for the
Sandiganbayan, Quezon City (File photo) MANILA - The Sandiganbayan cleared a former Cebu province municipal accountant of malversation but convicted a former village treasurer in Baguio City in separate suits. A decision by the Sandigan Fourth Division on May 23 said former Carmen town accountant Dinah Barriga is not guilty of malversation and illegal use of public funds. Barriga, along with the town's former mayor, Virginio Villamor who died in 2017, were charged in 1996 and 1997 involving PHP267,537 in public funds for the construction of spring box, deep wells, and water works systems; for PHP23,047 for the purchase of water pipes; and a third case for PHP1,305 for a spring box in a village that was not among the beneficiaries of the Central Visayas Water and Sanitation Project trust fund, a joint project between the town and the Australian government. In clearing Barriga, the court said the "mere fact that accused Villamor is the municipal mayor and accused Barriga is the