A FORMER ranking official of Tangub City has pleaded guilty to seven counts of falsification of documents before the Sandiganbayan over several city council resolutions supposedly granting salary increases and approving supplemental budgets.
Accused Marlene Mangao, former Sangguniang Panlungsod acting secretary of Tangub City, was convicted of seven counts of violation of falsification under paragraph, Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code and sentenced to imprisonment for 35 months. She was likewise ordered to pay a fine of P3,000 per case with subsidiary imprisonment should she fail to do so.
Sandiganbayan First Division Justice Efren de la Cruz, Geraldine Faith A. Econg and Edgardo M. Caldona approved Mangao’s plea bargaining deal with prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman after her counsel made the manifestation in court last September 19.
Mangao was originally charged with violation of Rule 171 of the Revised Penal Code which penalizes falsification, counterfeiting and fabrication of official documents.
Rule 171 is punishable by prision mayor equivalent to six to12 years imprisonment and fines of up to P5,000.
At the pre-trial on December 6, 2019, Mangao informed the court that she is amenable to the counter-offer of the prosecution to plead guilty to a lesser offense under Article 172 or the RPC.
Having confirmed that the plea bargaining proposal had already been approved by the Ombudsman, the court allowed the agreement.
