KNOW your job and its limits or suffer the consequences.
Former Licuan-Baay, Abra mayor Christopher Millare Sr. claimed he was unaware that he was not allowed by law to use P3.2 million from the municipal government’s Development Fund for the repair and rehabilitation of the municipal hall.
Likewise, he claimed that the municipal building also serves as a multipurpose hall and an alternative evacuation center during calamities, which he argued should be enough to clear him of criminal liability.
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division said otherwise, finding him guilty of two counts of violation of Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code penalizing technical malversation.
However, the anti-graft court did not mete any time behind bars for the accused, instead imposing fines of P60,000 for the first case and P100,000 for the second.
Based on information filed in 2017, prosecutors accused Millare of drawing P1.2 million from the Development Fund in 2011 and P2 million in 2012 for rehabilitation works on the municipal hall.
In its 31-page decision, the Sandiganbayan noted that under the Joint Circular No. 2011-1 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the use of the Development Fund for repair or refinishing of administrative offices like the municipal hall was specifically prohibited.
The same circular clarified that the fund was intended for social development projects like the building of health centers, procurement of medical equipment, job creation programs, and creation of development of water supply for the community.
“Accused Millare cannot hide behind the cloak of ignorance of existing laws, rules, regulations, and policies. It is a basic tenet that ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith. As the local chief executive, he is mandated to be knowledgeable of all laws, rules and regulations necessary for the effective performance of his functions,” the court pointed out.
