Police on Tuesday served two arrest warrants on the former treasurer of a barangay in Mandaue City who is facing graft charges before the Mandaue City Regional Trial Court.
Michelle Villaruel was in her home in barangay Yati in Liloan town when officers from the Mandaue City Police Subangdaku precinct arrived and effected the arrest.
The two arrest warrants were issued by Judge Teresita Galanida of the Mandaue City RTC Branch 56.
Villaruel was taken to the Subangdaku precinct for detention. Bail is set at P40,000 for each case.
The arrest stemmed from two complaints filed by Tipolo barangay captain Restituto Villanueva in 2006.
The barangay chief said sometime in 2006, Villaruel allegedly diverted construction materials meant for the repair of their barangay hall to her property in Yati, Liloan where her house was under construction.
Villanueva said they were waiting for the delivery of construction materials, but the hardware store brought the items to Liloan.
The second case stemmed from a P110,000 donation to the barangay which the treasurer allegedly pocketed.
The check donation was written in the name of the barangay captain, but Villaruel allegedly convinced the donor to release it in cash as she allegedly said she’ll be the one to deposit the amount through the barangay’s bank account.
Villaruel allegedly took the cash and stopped reporting for work since then.
Barangay captain Villanueva claimed that Villaruel forged his signature in acquiring glass panels from a hardware store.
However, Villanueva decided not to include the incident in the charge sheet as he is already satisfied with the filing of the two pending cases.