Former Masbate mayor convicted of malversation

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has convicted former Milagros, Masbate Mayor Bernardito Asibuque Abapo of malversation for his failure to liquidate some P26.5 million in cash advances from January 2002 to December 2004.

Abapo was sentenced to up to 20 years imprisonment and ordered to pay the entire amount.

Despite multiple demands from the Commission on Audit of Masbate City for him to liquidate it, Abapo failed to do so.

The Sandiganbayan said that Abapo also did not show receipts covering the expenses he incurred from the cash advances, if there were any. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu

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