Ex-Tuguegarao City vice mayor charged for failure to render cash advance

Ex-Tuguegarao City Vice Mayor Danilo Baccay. PHOTO FROM PIA.GOV.PH

Former vice mayor Danilo Baccay of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan was charged with violation of the Revised Penal Code for failing to render an account for a P400,000 cash advance in 2009.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor charged Baccay for the criminal offense of willfully, unlawfully and feloniously failing to render an account within the prescribed period for the P400,000 cash advance intended for the codification of Tuguegarao City ordinances in 2009.

Prosecutors said Baccay failed to render an account for the Landbank check amounting to P400,000 he received from local legislative staff officer Christopher Samonte of the city council.

Prosecutors said Baccay had control and custody over the cash advance, and that he is required by law to render an account within the prescribed period, as provided under a 1997 Commission on Audit circular and Section 340 of the Local Government Code.

The prosecutors recommended a bail of P6,000 for the offense punishable under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code for failure of accountable officer to render accounts.

According to Article 218, any public officer required by law or regulation to render account to the Insular Auditor or to a provincial auditor, and fails to do so for a period of two months after such accounts should be rendered, should be punished by prision correccional in its minimum period, and/or by a fine ranging from P200 to P6,000. IDL