The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former department head of the state-owned Philippine Postal Savings Bank, Inc. (PPSBI) with as much as eight years of imprisonment for allegedly giving unwarranted advantages and choice to purchasers.
In a 25-page choice promulgated on January 20, the Second Division of the anti-graft courtroom discovered former PPSBI department head Rosemarie Preston Villamora responsible past cheap doubt of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as amended.
The courtroom sentenced Villamora to a minimal of six years and one month of imprisonment to as much as eight years of imprisonment.
She can also be perpetually disqualified from holding public workplace.
“As civil liability, accused is ordered to indemnify Philippine PPSBI (now known as Overseas Filipino Bank, Inc.) the amount of P39,050,000 with interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of the finality of the decision,” it stated.
The case stemmed from the supposed unwarranted profit given by Villamora to 2 purchasers by granting them extreme rates of interest of 24% to 30% when the common rate of interest then was at 1.75% to 2%.
In the choice, the Sandiganbayan identified that Villamora had signed a notarized sworn assertion the place she admitted to granting the rates of interest.
However, Villamora stated she didn’t learn the assertion because it was very lengthy. She additional stated that she was not personally current when it was notarized.
The courtroom stated it was not satisfied and agreed with the prosecution that she couldn’t have been simply influenced or pressured given her background, huge expertise, and in depth data and expertise.
“In addition, considering that the Sworn Statement is a notarized document, it is presumed valid, regular, and genuine. It carries evidentiary weight with respect to its due execution,” it stated.
“As such, it need not be proven authentic before it is admitted into evidence. On its face, it is entitled to full faith and credit, and is deemed to be in full force and effect,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan stated that it’s undisputed that the federal government suffered damages on account of Villamora’s granting of unwarranted advantages within the quantity of P39 million. —KG, GMA Integrated News
