Jamaine Punzalan

The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon Cit on February 19, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178297610165820200219-sandganbayan-headquarters-JC-1035.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon Cit on February 19, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division convicted the president of Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. (PFI) of malversation in connection with the alleged misuse of P2.4 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Alvin Sandoval.</p><p>In a decision promulgated on Tuesday, the anti-graft court found Petronila Balmaceda guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.</p><p>The case originated from the release and alleged misuse of P3 million from Sandoval&#x27;s 2007 PDAF, which was coursed through the Technology Resource Center (TRC) for livelihood projects in the then-lone district of Malabon-Navotas but was instead transferred to PFI.</p><p>Although the information alleged the misappropriation of P3 million, the court ruled that Balmaceda could only be held liable for P2.4 million because the TRC retained P600,000 in service and retention fees.</p><p>&quot;The accused conspired with the public officer in siphoning the public money which is supposedly intended for the livelihood projects of the constituents,&quot; the decision penned by Associate Justice Gener Gito said.</p><p>The court ordered the case against Balmaceda’s co-accused, former TRC Director General Antonio Ortiz, to be archived as he remained at large. The trial proceeded solely against Balmaceda, following established jurisprudence that the flight of a co-conspirator does not warrant the dismissal of charges against an accused under the court&#x27;s jurisdiction.</p><p>During the trial, Balmaceda denied being an officer of PFI, claimed she had no knowledge of the transactions, and insisted she did not sign any of the bank or government documents presented as evidence.</p><p>However, prosecutors presented a witness from the Land Bank of the Philippines who testified that Balmaceda personally appeared at the bank, presented valid identification, and signed PFI&#x27;s specimen signature cards in the witness’ presence.</p><p>The prosecution also presented records from the Securities and Exchange Commission identifying Balmaceda as PFI&#x27;s president and listing her long-term residence as the foundation&#x27;s official address.</p><p>The court dismissed Balmaceda&#x27;s defense as uncorroborated and legally weak.</p><p>Balmaceda was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of eight years to 11 years, six months and 22 days.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/24/sandiganbayan-resets-arraignment-of-ex-nldc-execs-for-graft-over-p2-9m-pdaf-1059">Sandiganbayan resets arraignment of ex-NLDC execs for graft over P2.9M PDAF </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/luy-tells-court-napoles-had-final-say-to-ok-payments-to-pdaf-lawmakers-1242">Luy tells court: Napoles had final say to OK payments to &#x27;PDAF lawmakers&#x27; </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/7/nbi-state-witnesses-contradict-baligod-s-claims-in-pdaf-scam-1940">NBI: State witnesses contradict Baligod&#x27;s claims in PDAF scam </a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIo0uTseejc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division convicted the president of Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. of malversation in connection with the alleged misuse of P2.4 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Alvin Sandoval.</p>

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division convicted the president of Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. of malversation in connection with the alleged misuse of P2.4 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Alvin Sandoval.

Sandiganbayan convicts foundation president for malversation over P2.4-M PDAF

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Sandiganbayan convicts foundation president for malversation over P2.4-M PDAF

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 02, 2026 03:10 PM PHT

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