Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — Former Cortes, Bohol Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy was found guilty of corruption over cash advances she made to cover personal travel expenses amounting to over ₱20,000 in 2010.
‘
On Jan. 20, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division convicted Balistoy of graft and falsification of public documents.
‘
She was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years to a maximum of 48 years imprisonment and is perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
‘
“Mayor Balistoy utilized the funds of the municipality for her personal travels,” the court said. “Public funds were released in her favor through the cash advances obtained.”
‘
Balistoy was charged in 2016 for using municipal funds for seven personal travels to Cebu City guised as official trips, which were not authorized by the provincial governor.
‘
State prosecutors said Balistoy forged the signature of a certifying officer from the Civil Service Commission, when she liquidated her cash advances.
‘
“Using spurious documents and traveling without authority from the Office of the Governor undoubtedly demonstrates her corrupt motive,” the court explained.
‘
“Taken together, these conscious acts of the accused indicate her moral obliquity,” it added.
‘
