Baseco ex-treasurer convicted on 13 counts of graft

THE Sandiganbayan Third Division has convicted former Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Corp. Inc. (Baseco) treasurer Agustiniana Avelino on 13 counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Ra 3019) for illegal withdrawals of various sums from the agency’s bank account totaling P102.07 million between January 2009 to December 2010.

For each count of the criminal offense, Avelino was sentenced to six to eight years imprisonment or a total of 78 to 104 years, with perpetual disqualification from holding any other position in government, and a directive to return the entire amount with legal interest of 6 percent per year.

Avelino was originally named a co-accused of former Baseco president Proceso Maligalig who died in 2021, leaving her the lone defendant in all 13 charges.

Based on the transaction records obtained by investigators, the biggest withdrawals were three P20 millions followed by a P14.24 million and a P10 million. Prosecutors said neither defendant offered any justification for drawing out the money nor have they accounted for where the cash went.

While both Maligalig and Avelino were both directors of Baseco, prosecutors said none of the 13 withdrawals had any authorization from the Board of Directors.

The court noted that as her defense, Avelino merely denied that the signatures on the withdrawal slips were hers.

“The Court has considered the overwhelming evidence of the prosecution that the accused failed to account the subject amounts provided in the Information,” the Sandiganbayan said.

By way of a reminder, the anti-graft court issued a cautionary reminder to all public officials to bear in mind the time-honored principle that a public office is a public trust.

“Thus, public officers, as recipients of public trust, are under obligation to perform the duties of their offices honestly, faithfully, and to the best of their ability,” the Sandiganbayan added.