The Sandiganbayan convicted former San Sebastian, Samar Mayor Arnold Abalos, Municipal Treasurer Virginia Uy and Municipal Accountant Pepita Mabini of 40 counts of violation of Section 52(c) of the Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8291) and sentenced them to solidarily pay a fine of P5,000.00 for each count, or a total of P200,000.00.
During their re-arraignment, the accused, assisted by counsel, informed the court of their change of plea from “not guilty” to “guilty.” The accused are thereby deemed to have admitted all the material allegations in the 40 Informations indicting them for the non-remittance of P6.9 million in GSIS contributions covering various periods from 2008 to 2012 (April 2008- December 2009, May 2010-September 2010, February 2011-December 2011, January 2012- April 2012).
Under R.A. No. 8291, local chief executives and other responsible officers are mandated to remit GSIS contributions within 30 days from the time that the same shall have been due and demandable. The employees’ and employer’s GSIS contributions are due within the first 10 days of the calendar month following the month to which the contributions apply. ###