Illegal use of public funds or property, Revised Penal Code

1. Concept

Article 220. Any public officer who shall apply any public fund or property under his administration to any public use other than for which such fund or property were appropriated by law or ordinance shall suffer the penalty of prision correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from one-half to the total of the sum misapplied, if by reason of such misapplication, any damages or embarrassment shall have resulted to the public service. In either case, the offender shall also suffer the penalty of temporary special disqualification.If no damage or embarrassment to the public service has resulted, the penalty shall be a fine from 5 to 50 per cent of the sum misapplied. (Act No. 3815, Revised Penal Code)

a. Public officer

“Public officer” –refers to any person who, by direct provision of the law, popular election or appointment by competent authority, shall take part in the performance of public functions in the Government of the Philippine Islands, of shall perform in said Government or in any of its branches public duties as an employee, agent or subordinate official, of any rank or class, for purposes of Titles 1 to 6, Book 2 of the Revised Penal Code. (Article 203, Act No. 3815, Revised Penal Code)

2. Mode of commission

Elements of the offense:

1) The offender is a public officer; and

2) He applies any public fund or property under his administration to any public use other than for which such fund or property were appropriated by law...