despalko
despálko with stress marks
swindle; embezzle
Usage Note
Despalko, from Spanish desfalco (embezzlement), is used in legal and journalistic contexts to refer to the misappropriation of funds, particularly in public office. It is a term frequently encountered in Philippine news coverage of corruption cases involving government officials or financial officers.
Examples
" Nahuli sila sa despalko. "
Natural Translation
They were caught embezzling.
Literal Translation
Were-caught they in embezzlement.
" Naaresto ang opisyal dahil sa despalko ng pondo ng bayan. "
Natural Translation
The official was arrested for embezzling public funds.
Literal Translation
Was-arrested the official because of embezzlement of-the funds of-the town.
" Matagal na imbestigasyon ang isinagawa bago napatunayan ang despalko ng milyun-milyong pondo ng ahensiya. "
Natural Translation
A long investigation was carried out before the embezzlement of the agency's millions of funds was proven.
Literal Translation
Long investigation the was-carried-out before was-proven the embezzlement of millions funds of-the agency.
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