BY CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has convicted a former official of the Department of Education (DepEd) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for failing to remit the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) contributions of DepEd employees worth P75.3 million back in 2004.
Former Regional Director Leovigilda P. Cinches was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 52(g) of R.A. 8291 for failing to remit to the GSIS P 18,068,932.73 due for August, P19,028,193.69 for September, P18,993,527.87 for October, and P19,294,516.72 for November in 2004.
She was sentenced to imprisonment of two years as minimum to three years as maximum for each of the charges.
She was also ordered to pay a fine of P20,000 for each of the charges or a total of P80,000.
The anti-graft court likewise imposed upon her absolute perpetual disqualification from holding public office or from practicing any profession or calling licensed by the government.
Meanwhile, Cinches was acquitted of her graft charge for failure of the prosecution to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In its ruling, the anti-graft court said that Cinches should be held liable for failing to remit the GSIS contributions because it was part of her responsibilities as Director of Administration, Finance and Other Support Services at the time. (Czarina Nicole Ong Ki)
