MANILA, April 29 -- The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the conviction of former Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte mayor Joseph Cedrick Ruiz for corruption and misuse of almost PHP1 million in confidential and intelligence funds.

In a news release on Tuesday, the SC said a decision by the First Division upheld the Sandiganbayan's ruling, finding Ruiz guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation of public funds.

Ruiz served as mayor from 1998 to 2001.

Court records showed that weeks before the end of his term, he ordered deputy chief of police Pepe Nortal to request a cash advance of PHP1 million, representing the city's...