A FORMER barangay chairman in Caloocan City is facing six to eight years in prison for losing a government-issued tricycle to theft.
The Sandiganbayan likewise required Leonilo Miranda to repay P140,000 to the city coffers representing the cost of the stolen motorcycle and sidecar.
In a 36-page resolution dated September 5, 2025, the Sandiganbayan denied Miranda’s appeal and affirmed the 2023 decision of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 123.
The anti-graft court sustained the decision of the local court that the accused compounded his fault at losing the vehicle by failing to observe the process of filing a Request for Relief with the Commission on Audit (COA) and reporting the theft to the police.
“The accused-appellant’s utter failure to comply with the essential requirements set by the COA further reinforces the prosecution’s theory that he acted with gross inexcusable negligence in managing the valuable government property entrusted to him,” the Sandiganbayan said.
Case records showed Miranda was elected chairman of Barangay 162, Zone 6, of Caloocan City’s second district from August 2002 to November 2007, and for a second term that ended in November 2010.
The tricycle in question was purchased in 2005 for use as a service vehicle for the barangay.
Miranda said it was stolen while parked outside the city hall sometime in 2007. He said he was unaware that he was required to file a Request for Relief from Liability with the COA.
While the prosecution said that he did nothing after losing the vehicle, the defendant submitted a complaint sheet dated July 5, 2007, which he said he executed at the Caloocan City Police Station’s Anti-Carnapping Unit.
The court however gave little weight to the document, noting that the police investigator who signed the report was not presented during trial to authenticate the document and attest to its due execution.
Likewise, he was unable to present proof of his claim that he reported the loss to the Barangay Council as required by law.
“In fact, as correctly found by the trial court, accused-appellant Miranda only informed the city auditor of Caloocan City of the supposed loss of the subject item on December 21, 2010 when he requested that his honorarium and cash gift be released to him,” the Sandiganbayan noted.
