Former PGH cash clerk convicted for misdeclaring collections

MANILA, Philippines – A former cash clerk of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila was found guilty of malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman proved that Adelaine Bacor as cash clerk at PGH made it appear that her collections from July to December 2005 only amounted to P21,778.50, when her cash collections were really a total of P883,047.60.

An audit revealed that Bacor failed to remit the true and correct amount paid by 44 cardiac catheterization laboratory patients, and even misdeclared the true names of patients and procedures done.

While Bacor denied the charges, the court found that she presented “a very superficial explanation that the discrepancies could be brought about by some errors.”

“The court finds that the prosecution has satisfactorily proved all the elements of the crime,” Presiding Judge Marlina Manuel said in a statement released Friday, May 27.

Branch 22 of the Manila Regional Trial Court convicted Bacor of 3 counts of malversation of public funds, 3 counts of falsification of public documents, and one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The cash clerk now faces years of imprisonment:

• 10 to 16 years for each count of malversation
• 4 to 9 years for each count of falsification
• 8 years for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act

The court also ordered Bacor to pay a fine amounting to P96,329. She also faces the accessory penalty of perpetual special disqualification. – Rappler.com