Manila: The Sandiganbayan has found a former Nueva Ecija town mayor guilty of malversation of PHP3.5 million in public funds, representing unliquidated cash advances dating back to 2006. In a 31-page decision promulgated on September 2, the anti-graft court sentenced former Laur, Nueva Ecija mayor Blas Canlas to up to 16 years imprisonment.

According to Philippines News Agency, the court highlighted that Canlas, as the accountable officer and recipient of the cash advances, failed to adhere to the Commission on Audit (COA) rules regarding their liquidation. As the head of the agency and local chief executive of the municipality, Canlas was responsible for ensuring that the grant, utilization, and liquidation of all cash advances complied with the rules.

The court also ordered Canlas to indemnify the local government unit PHP3.5 million, with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency, and issued an order for his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The case was initially decided by the Sandiganbayan in 2018, but Canlas appealed the decision to the Supreme Court (SC). The SC subsequently set aside the 2018 ruling and remanded the case back to the Sandiganbayan for the continuation of proceedings.