MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of a former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) social worker for malversation and graft over the misappropriation of more than PHP4 million intended for beneficiaries of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

In a 56-page decision dated July 13, the anti-graft court affirmed the Manila Regional Trial Court’s ruling finding former special disbursing officer Victoria Marites Cobico guilty of misusing PHP4.272 million in public funds in 2021.

Cobico, who was assigned to the DSWD’s Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop, was sentenced to a maximum of 16 years in prison for malversation and up to eight years for graft. She was also meted the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office in connection with the graft conviction.

The Sandiganbayan further ordered Cobico to reimburse the government PHP4.272 million, with legal interest of six percent per annum from the finality of the judgment until the amount is fully paid.

The misappropriated funds formed part of the PHP74.98 million cash advance she encashed for distribution to more than 9,000 SAP beneficiaries affected by community quarantine restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Cobico, who had been with the DSWD for eight years when charges were filed against her, argued that she was pressured into admitting during a cash count that she had lent SAP funds to a friend whose child had cancer.

She also maintained that she was not the only person involved in distributing the SAP assistance.

Rejecting her appeal, the Sandiganbayan ruled that Cobico, as the accountable officer, had sole legal responsibility over the public funds entrusted to her.

“(A)ccused-appellant was specifically tasked to receive, safeguard, disburse, liquidate, and return any unexpended balance of the cash advance. Such functions necessarily carried with them legal accountability over the entirety of the funds entrusted to her,” the court said.

“The duty to account for public funds remains personal to the accountable officer and cannot be diluted or transferred through informal delegation or internal arrangements,” it added.PNA