It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/909238/porac-police-chief-relieved-following-pogo-hub-raid/story/ |
The police chief of Porac, Pampanga was relieved from his post amid the investigation into the alleged “scam farm” inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub that was raided this week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the PNP will look as to how the Porac police force failed to detect the illegal operation of the POGO hub, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Glen Juego.Aside from this, Fajardo said the PNP will also probe the town's municipal government on grounds that the POGO hub was allowed to operate despite having no permit since 2023.On Tuesday, authorities implemented a search warrant against the POGO hub based on a complaint of alleged human trafficking happening inside the 10-hectare establishment.The POGO hub was reportedly involved in various criminal activities that include human trafficking, sex trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and scamming.A total of 158 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were rescued during the operation.Authorities said several more people inside the hub managed to escape after they supposedly received early warning of the impending raid.
The police chief of Porac has been relieved due to an investigation into a POGO hub.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/6/village-dad-shot-in-ormoc-city |
A barangay kagawad or councilor was shot in Barangay San Pablo, Ormoc City, Leyte on Thursday, June 6.
The victim was identified as Ramie Matuguina, 49, married, kagawad of Barangay Salvacion in Ormoc.
Police said that Matuguina was driving a small blue hatchback and stopped in front of a store.
Two men who had been tailing him approached and fired at the unsuspecting victim.
Matuguina ran inside the store while the gunmen fled onboard a motorcycle toward Ormoc City proper.He sustained bullet wounds and was brought to a hospital in Kananga, Leyte.Police found six fired cartridges of a caliber .45 pistol, one discharged bullet, and a deformed slug in the crime scene.
The Ormoc City Police Station 1 launched dragnet operations in collaboration with neighboring police stations to track down the suspects.
A village councilor has been assassinated.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226429 |
A member of the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) has been relieved of his post after testing positive for illegal drugs.
In a message to reporters on Friday, SAF Director, Brig. Gen. Mark Pespes, said the officer, with the rank of patrolman, was the only one out of 93 personnel who yielded a positive result in a random drug test last week.
The officer, he added, also tested positive in confirmatory tests conducted this week.
"Confirmed naman at di naman nag-contest 'yung subject. Relieved siya at inaantay dito for the formal investigation (It was confirmed and the subject did not contest the results. He was relieved and we are waiting for the formal investigation)," Pespes said.
The conduct of the random drug tests came after the SAF received intelligence information that one of its troops was using illegal drugs.
Pespes said the police officer was reassigned to the Administrative Holding and Accounting Section and would be subjected to pre-charge investigation and summary hearing proceedings.
If found guilty, the police officer could be dismissed from the service.
A member of the PNP-SAF has been relieved of his post after testing positive for illegal drugs.
A 57-year-old barangay councilor was gunned down in Barangay Dimayon, an isolated barangay in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, on Thursday afternoon, June 6.Police identified the victim as Otar Bada Alamada, male, married, councilor of Barangay Rebucon, Nunungan.
Investigation said Alamada went to Barangay Dimayon to visit his relatives when the suspect, Adam Mamorasa, legal age, a resident of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, suddenly grabbed the M16 rifle that he was carrying for protection.
Mamarosa fired at Alamada and wounded B'ra Andam, 50, and Malik Guindo, 40, both farmers and residents of Barangay Dimayon.
Alamada sustained multiple bullet wounds and died on the spot.
Despite being wounded, Andam and Guindo managed to grab the firearm from Mamarosa and shot him.
Mamarosa sustained three bullet wounds and died on the spot. His body was taken by police to the Saint Michael's Funeral Homes in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and had been claimed by his relatives.
Police said Dimayon is an isolated barangay, about 20 kilometers away from the Nunungan police station. The area has no mobile phone signal and can only be reached by foot, police added.
Fired cartridge cases for caliber 5.56mm and caliber 30mm were found in the crime scene.
Police are conducting a follow-up investigation.
A village councilor has been assassinated.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1949595/cotabato-city-village-chief-survives-ambush-5-pals-hurt |
A village official survived an ambush that happened along a busy street here on Friday evening, police said.
Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr,, Cotabato City police director, said in an interview that unidentified gunmen ambushed a Toyota Grandia of Edris Ayunan Pasawiran, village chief of Barangay Kalanganan 2, while he and companions were traveling along Mabini Street, Barangay Bagua 3 at about 8 p.m.
“Initially, there were five persons injured, two of them in critical condition,” Manalang told reporters on Friday night.
He added that per initial information, Pasawiran was unhurt.
Manalang said police investigators are yet to speak with the victims and their families to help determine the motive of the attack.
“When the police arrived at the crime scene, the victims already were out of the van,” Manalang said.
Police Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered about 100 pieces of empty shells of a yet unknown weapon at the ambush site beside Pasawiran’s van which was riddled with bullets.
Manalang also said that minutes after the ambush, a mini-van was recovered in Barangay Rosary Heights 3 with a caliber .45 pistol, two bottles of gasoline, and a bloodstain at the driver’s seat.
Police are determining if the Mazda mini-van (plate numbrr NBC-1215) has something to do with the ambush against the village official.
Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao has condemned the ambush and directed the police to look deeper into the case.
A village chief has survived an assassination attempt.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/9/police-official-2-others-arrested-over-rentangay-carnapping-scheme |
Three people, including a police official with a rank of lieutenant colonel, landed in jail for alleged carnapping involving a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was rented in Bamban, Tarlac.
The operation, according to a police report from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), stemmed from the complaint of the owner of an MPV who sought police assistance after learning that her car was being sold on June 5.
The complainant said that it was the supposed buyer of her vehicle who contacted her through a messaging app to verify if she is indeed the registered owner of the vehicle that was being sold for P350,000.
The complainant told the police that the vehicle was rented from her by a certain Michael Perez Bautista on June 2. The rent was for two days but was not returned on time.
The complainant immediately sought police assistance and at around 7 p.m. on January 5, the operation was carried out in Baclaran, Parañaque City which resulted in the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of three people.
Those arrested were later identified as Police Lt. Col. Gideon Ines, Jr.; 52; Michael Perez Bautista, 42; and Lyn Salazar Tuazon, 25.
The complainant said the car was accepted by Bautista during the rental process while Tuazon was the one who arranged the rental online.
Police are conducting an investigation to verify the allegation that it was Ines who was giving orders on the selling of the rented car, following his presence and arrest during the operation.
Police then warned motor vehicle owners to be alert against what they described as ‘rentangay” scheme wherein the rented vehicles are being sold without the knowledge of the owners.
Appropriate criminal charges are now being prepared against the arrested suspects while separate administrative charges will be slapped against Ines.
A cop has been arrested for carnapping.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/10/ombudsman-suspends-for-6-months-marikina-city-building-official-6-engineering-personnel |
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has ordered the preventive suspension for six months of seven officials of the Marikina City Engineering Department due to the alleged solicitation of bribes in exchange for the fast tracking of building and occupancy permits.
Ordered suspended were City Engineer and Building Official Kennedy V. Sueno, Enforcement Section Chief Romeo G. Gutierrez, Jr., Building Inspector and Zoning Officer II Marlito E. Poquiz, Electrical Inspector and Electrician Foreman Alex V. Copreros, Engineer III Mark E. De Joya, Secretary and Administrative Aide III Abigail Joy C. Santiago a.k.a. Abby Salvador, and Electrician Foreman Manuel V. Santos.
"This Office finds sufficient grounds for the issuance of an Order for Preventive Suspension against respondents Sueno, Gutierrez, Poquiz, Corpreros, De Joya, Santiago, and Santos considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt," the OMB said in an order signed by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires.
The order also stated: "The charges against them for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service may warrant their removal from the service; their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them; to preserve documents and evidence pertaining to this case which respondents have control and custody; and to avert the commission of further malfeasance and misfeasance in office by the respondents (those suspended)."
The complaint against the seven city officials were filed by spouses Brian and Agnes Torres who applied for a building permit at the Marikina City Engineering Office sometime in August 2021.
The couple alleged that they underwent "numerous obstacles" during the approval process, including the payment of P430,000 upon pressure exerted by the City Engineering staff. The spouses said the permit was not released.
They said that in September 2021 they were approached by a former employee of city's Rescue 161 to help in the processing of the permit with the assistance of De Joya and an individual named "Don." The couple then proceeded to construct a simple fence-like structure within their compound in mid November 2021, but they were issued a Violation Notice.
They also said the construction was suspended from Dec. 20, 2021 to Jan. 20, 2022, and they were allegedly given a run around until April 19, 2022 when they received a Notice of Revocation of their Building Permit.
After examining their complaint, the OMB agreed that there was "deep-seated corruption" within the city government of Marikina, as it has become the modus operandi of city officials to solicit monetary considerations in every step of the permit process.
"The pervasive nature of this corruption undermines the fairness and transparency of government procedures, ultimately eroding public trust in the integrity of governance," the OMB order stressed.
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension for six months of seven officials of the Marikina City Engineering Department due to the alleged solicitation of bribes in exchange for the fast tracking of building and occupancy permits.
The municipal agriculture officer of Villaba, Leyte, who also served as a lay minister, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Viillaba on Sunday, June 9.
The victim, Marcing, 52, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Leyte, Leyte, was attacked after conducting Masses in two barangays in Leyte, Leyte.
Police discovered the victim lying on the ground with multiple bullet wounds Barangay Cabungahan some 13 kilometers away from the Villaba town proper.
The victim who was driving a black car from Barangays Bagabao and Mataloto was shot using a .45 caliber pistol.
He died on the spot and the suspects fled on foot toward the interior of Barangay Cabungahan.
The gunmen allegedly took the victim's sling bag which contained cash, a cellphone, and sacramental bread.Police are conducting follow-up investigation.
The municipal agriculture officer of Villaba, Leyte, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Viillaba on Sunday, June 9.
A patrolwoman was reportedly sexually harassed by a police major in Bulacan last June 7, according to the authorities.
In a report on Monday, Bulacan police identified the suspect as Major Gerardo Navarro.
Police said Navarro reportedly went inside the Women and Children Protection Desk office along Barangay Poblacion in Plaridel where the victim was taking a nap.
Awakened by the suspect’s hug, the victim tried to stop Navarro, who allegedly continued touching her body.
The cop reportedly left only after she cried for help.
Navarro will face complaints for violating Republic Act 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, police said.
A cop is facing charges for sexual harassing a female cop.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/10/9-cops-relieved-over-death-of-drug-suspect-in-batangas |
The police chief and eight anti-narcotics operatives of this town have been relieved from their posts following the death of a drug suspect during an operation on May 28 in Barangay Lipahan here.
Police Lt. Col. Jesus Lintag was relieved and replaced by Police Lt. Col. Rommel Sorbido as officer-in-charge while the eight policemen were transferred to the Provincial Personnel Holding Center in Batangas City.
Police Regional Office 4-A chief Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas has formed a special investigation team to determine if these policemen violated standard operating procedures and committed irregularities in the performance of duty.
The victim, Bryan Laresma, alias Balot, was killed in a shootout with the police and two sachets of suspected shabu and a caliber. 38 revolver with bullets were recovered from him.
Laresma sensed that he was transacting with a police officer. He drew a gun and shot the lawman who returned fire and hit the suspect’s right thigh.
The suspect was taken to the San Juan District Hospital where he was declared dead.
Laresma’s relatives sought help of the National Bureau of Investigation for a re-autopsy and requested the Commission on Human Rights and House of Representatives to conduct parallel probes.
His sibling said Bryan had just alighted from his motorcycle when he was shot by the police.
Lintag said that the operation was legitimate and they are ready face to any investigation.
The police chief and eight anti-narcotics operatives of this town have been relieved from their posts following the death of a drug suspect during an operation on May 28 in Barangay Lipahan.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/2-lto-7-officers-face-grave-abuse-complaint |
FIVE taxi drivers in Cebu have lodged a complaint against two officers of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) for alleged grave abuse of authority, claiming they received “unreasonable, unfair, improper, and untimely” apprehension for having tinted taxi windows.
Taxi drivers Jessie Butlig, Wilfredo Soronio, Neil Lumapguid, Raul Barliso and Randy Campos, filed on May 27, 2024, a request for assistance before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas on the alleged grave abuse of authority of LTO 7 officers Joel Catabas and Johnny Cella.
In their complaint-affidavit, the taxi drivers said Catabas and Cella apprehended them and imposed a P5,000 fine on each of them on separate occasions within a week, between April 24 and May 2, for alleged violations of LTO standards regarding window tints.
The drivers reportedly violated the standards set by the agency on operating with defective, improper, unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment and parts.
The drivers, however, maintained that the apprehension of their taxis due to tinted windows is “contrary to law or regulations.”
“Tinted windows on public utility vehicles, like taxis, neither constitute defective/ improper/ unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts nor change in color and other unauthorized modifications as they are not prohibited,” the drivers said in their six-page complaint-affidavit.
Attached in their complaint-affidavit are photocopies of the Temporary Operator’s Permit issued to them.
The drivers are represented by lawyer Aimele Rose Miano.
The drivers said that even if there is a restriction on installing tints, it should not be enforced strictly as tints are necessary for the safety and comfort of both drivers and passengers, especially in high temperatures.
Miano said the drivers’ taxi units were originally untinted, but the tints were added due to passenger complaints about the heat.
The complainants noted that the high temperature caused discomfort, particularly for seniors and children.
The extreme heat makes tinted windows essential for public utility vehicles. The drivers asserted that their taxis are not fully tinted, allowing law enforcers to peer inside.
They also requested the Ombudsman to enjoin the LTO from continuing its apprehension of taxi drivers due to tinted windows.
Five taxi drivers in Cebu have lodged a complaint against two officers of (LTO 7) for alleged grave abuse of authority, claiming they received “unreasonable, unfair, improper, and untimely” apprehension for having tinted taxi windows.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/11/ex-mindanao-state-u-chancellor-convicted-of-graft-malversation-of-school-funds |
The Sandiganbayan has convicted former chancellor Taha Guro Sarip of the Mindanao State University Buug Campus (MSU-Buug) of graft and malversation of public funds for using P94,957.15 in school funds for the repairs of his personal vehicle in 2011 and 2012.
Sarip was sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to seven years for graft and from one year to three years for malversation. He was also barred perpetually from holding public office.
The anti-graft court did not impose any civil liability on Sarip since he had restituted the university of the amount he spent for his vehicle.
The court set aside Sarip's defense that he used the school's funds for the repairs since he was using his personal vehicle for his official travels.
"He (Sarip) did not present any travel order, or any evidence to show that his Toyota Innova vehicle was used on the dates of his official travels," the court said.
Even assuming that the vehicle was indeed used for official travels, the court said that there was no evidence on record that would prove that the vehicle had to be repaired because it was damaged in the course of its use during official travels, it also said.
On Sarip's claim of good faith, the court said: "Contrary to accused Sarip's claim of good faith, the evidence on record would show that he was aware of the illegality of the disbursements."
"The Court finds that accused Sarip acted with evident bad faith when he knowingly approved the disbursements for the repairs and maintenance of his personal vehicle. Accused Sarip took advantage of his official position to gain in dishonest ways." the court ruled.
The Sandiganbayan has convicted former chancellor Taha Guro Sarip of the Mindanao State University Buug Campus of graft and malversation of public funds for using P94,957.15 in school funds for the repairs of his personal vehicle in 2011 and 2012.
A former soldier was killed, while another was wounded in a shooting incident Monday in Tinambac town in Camarines Sur province.
Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon, Bicol police chief, on Tuesday, June 11, identified the slain victim as Rey Alain Brugada, a former member of the Philippine Army and former village chief in Mananao. Wounded was Mary Jane Mayhay, head of the Tinambac Public Safety Office.
Unidentified suspects repeatedly hit the vehicle driven by Mayhay in Barangay Bagacay at 5:15 p.m.
Brugada died on the spot after suffering gunshot wounds in different parts of his body. Mayhay was brought to a hospital for treatment.
Dizon said they were still investigating the background of the victims and the motive behind the incident.
A former soldier was killed, while another was wounded in a shooting incident Monday in Tinambac town in Camarines Sur province.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1950369/lawyers-groups-slam-killing-of-prosecutor-in-davao-del-sur |
Lawyers groups in this city are outraged over the killing of Davao Occidental Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Eleanor “Ning” P. Dela Peña past 5 p.m. on Monday, June 10, on her way home.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Florante S. Retes, chief of the Digos city police, said Dela Peña, 54, was aboard a white Ford Raptor pickup and was on her way home to Chapter 8, Tienda, Barangay Aplaya in Digos City when attacked by an assassin.
Responding personnel from the Digos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) found her dead at the ambush site.
Four hours after the killing, at 9:40 p.m., police arrested a man identified as Dela Peña’s half-brother at the national highway of Talas village in Sulop town of Davao del Sur.
According to the police, the suspect Arnel Galot Dela Peña, 56, a former policeman and half-brother of the victim, was identified through the statements of the victim’s son Kenneth De Leon, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage near the crime scene and descriptions by witnesses.
Davao Occidental Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Eleanor “Ning” P. Dela Peña was assassinated by her half-brother who is also a former policeman.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1950559/2-caloocan-cops-nabbed-for-alleged-robbery-extortion-of-a-drug-suspect |
Two Caloocan City police officers and an individual were arrested in Quezon City on Monday afternoon for reportedly robbing and extorting money from a person allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
In a report on Tuesday, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the two officers, Staff Sergeant Russel Ortega and Corporal Joel Taboga, and a civilian named Robin Caidic were collared during a police operation in front of Balon Bato Barangay Hall around 4:40 p.m.
Based on the investigation, victim Gerald Andrade claimed that he was on a motorcycle when the suspects, along with other police officers, blocked his path and reportedly took his wallet containing about P16,000.
Andrade, however, managed to escape from the police officers.
He was chased until the barangay hall, where the suspects were apprehended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) operatives.
Prior to this situation, another officer backtracking CCTV footage for a homicide case saw the suspects running after the complainant.
This discovery prompted the CIDU operatives to quickly respond and go to the area.
When asked for documents indicating the legality of the suspects’ operation, QCPD said the suspects “failed to present any.”
The three arrested individuals and the complainant were brought to CIDU, along with the confiscated motorcycle and the P16,000 worth of cash.
Authorities are tracking down four other police officers for possible involvement.
They are Corporal Judy Rizare, Corporal Andy Moja, Corporal Mark Anthony Vinagrera and Corporal Alvin Cruz — who remain at large.
Two cops have been arrested for extortion while four other cops remain at large.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1950556/pampanga-village-chief-driver-killed-in-ambush |
The village chief of Barangay San Pedro Cutud was killed in an ambush at past 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11.
The police scene of the crime operatives found no sign of life in Matt Ryan de la Cruz, 37, and his driver who sustained around 10 gunshot wounds, as they slumped on the front seats.
A live telecast of local television network CLTV36 showed the village official’s red car parked beside a gas pump station some 200 meters from the city’s new public market.
De la Cruz’s driver reportedly got down from the car and came back as it was being reloaded with gas when the gunman, reportedly using a long firearm, began firing, a witness reported.
The village chief of Barangay San Pedro Cutud has been assassinated.
An adversary shot dead on Saturday afternoon a Sama employee of the Pagadian City Tourism Office, also a barangay leader known for his extensive role in settling disputes among constituents in their seaside village.In a report released on Sunday, the Pagadian City Police Office stated that the victim, Caloy Tanta Andal, 44, was on his way home from work when he was shot four times by a neighbor, identified only as Sahibil, while walking through a footbridge connecting houses in a Sama beachfront enclave in Purok Kabingaan in Barangay San Pedro.
Sahibil, also an ethnic Sama, and his three companions, overheard speaking to each other in their vernacular, escaped using a pumpboat hidden beside stilt houses a few meters away.
Barangay officials in San Pedro, home to mixed Sama, Tausug and Visayan communities, told reporters the slain Andal, a purok leader, and Sahibil had a heated altercation during a barangay conflict settlement meeting last month.
Andal, an employee of the Pagadian City Tourism Office, popular for his being active in resolving disputes among constituents in Barangay San Pedro, had reportedly reprimanded Sahibil for being unruly during their dialogue then.
Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co on Saturday urged the officials of the Pagadian CPO and barangay leaders to cooperate in locating Sahibil and his three companions, all at large.
A city employee of the tourism office who is also a barangay leader has been assassinated.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/12/village-chair-sk-kagawad-hurt-in-ormoc-shooting |
The barangay chairman and a Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad (councilor) of Barangay Alta Vista, Ormoc City, were wounded in a shooting incident in the area on Wednesday, June 12.
Police identified the victims as Barangay Chairman Dennis Laurente and Hanna Toralba, 21, SK kagawad.
Investigation said gunmen onboard a motorcycle overtook and fired at Laurente’s vehicle.
Laurente and Toralba sustained multiple bullet wounds.
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez have offered a P200,000 reward for information leading to the gunmen.
The incident was caught on surveillance footage.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.
The barangay chairman and a Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad (councilor) of Barangay Alta Vista, Ormoc City, were wounded in an attempted assassination.
Malacañang suspended Gov. Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte for 30 more days after serving a two-month suspension.Jubahib was slated to resume his office duties on Monday, June 10, after the 60-day preventive suspension imposed by Malacañang concluded.
However, another suspension directive thwarted his return, said Jubahib in a video message he posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, June 11.
“I regret to inform you (Davao del Norte residents) that I cannot return to my office as governor following another suspension order,” Jubahib said in a local dialect.
The Office of the President issued the 30-day suspension on Friday, June 7, for allegedly supporting a protest rally against the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).
Jubahib strongly disapproved of Nordeco due to its alleged low-quality service and power disruptions that hindered provincial growth.
He cited the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) as among the areas that endured the cooperative’s deficient operations, leading to demands for a more dependable electricity provider.
Nordeco had earlier vowed to resolve the issue of power interruptions in Igacos and other concerned areas that have been the subject of complaints from the government and the people.
Jubahib said he will take the suspension as a challenge. He added that he stood up and fought for the people of the province who struggled due to the inconvenience Nordeco caused.
“If this is the price I have to pay for public service, then so be it,” the governor said while hoping for a positive outcome in the struggle for the welfare of the residents of Davao del Norte.
Jubahib was suspended on April 11 due to allegations of grave abuse of authority and oppression before the new preventive suspension order was issued.
The Supreme Court has ordered a municipal trial court judge in Calamba City, Laguna, dismissed and disbarred for falsifying public documents in order to continue receiving the salaries of her contractual driver who had already resigned.
In a 42-page per curiam decision, the high court en banc found Vice Executive Judge and presiding Judge Sharon Alamada-Magayanes guilty of falsification of official documents, serious dishonesty and gross misconduct.
She was also cited for the commission of crimes involving moral turpitude and violations of the New Code of Judicial Conduct.
Her corespondents, court clerk Rachel Worwor-Miguel and court stenographer Beverly de Jesus, were likewise found guilty of falsification and serious dishonesty for falsifying the payroll registers by signing the document.
Wowor-Miguel was fined P140,000 for falsifying the payroll registers for seven periods while De Jesus was penalized P20,000 for falsifying the payroll register for one period.
According to the court, Alamada confessed that she signed the payroll registers of the Calamba City government for her contractual driver and certified that he rendered service for the period stated in the document although he had already resigned.
The high tribunal also noted that the ATM card of the driver was with the judge and that from September 2020 until July 2021, his salaries were still being credited to the ATM card and “consistently withdrawn upon the instructions of Judge Alamada.”
In dismissing the judge from service, the court ruled that her acts showed her moral depravity and she “fell short of the standards of a magistrate of the law.”
“Judges are repeatedly reminded to be irreproachable in conduct and to be free from any appearance of impropriety,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The high tribunal further ruled that Alamada’s false certifications and misappropriation of her staff’s salaries also constituted gross misconduct and serious dishonesty—both considered serious offenses under Canon VI, Section 33 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.
“Judge Alamada’s acts did not only affect the image of the judiciary, but also put her moral character in serious doubt and rendered her unfit to continue in the practice of law,” it said.
The court added that it further considered the multiple offenses committed by the judicial officer, in addition to her “lack of remorse” and the severity of her offenses in imposing the penalty of disbarment.
The Supreme Court has ordered a municipal trial court judge in Calamba City, Laguna, dismissed and disbarred for falsifying public documents in order to continue receiving the salaries of her contractual driver who had already resigned.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/13/ex-occidental-mindoro-town-mayor-convicted-for-failure-to-remit-gsis-premiums-contributions |
The Sandiganbayan has convicted former mayor Voltaire Anthony C. Villarosa of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro of violation of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997 and ordered his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Villarosa was also sentenced to two to four years imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of P10,000 for violation of Section 6(b) in relation to Section 52(g) of Republic Act No. 8291, the GSIS law.
However, he was acquitted of graft charge and alleged violation of Section 81 in relation to Section 272(b) of R.A. No. 8424, the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
Villarosa was charged for the failure of the municipality to turn over the remittance of the GSIS premiums and contributions of its officials and employees covering the period from Sept. 20, 2015 to May 20, 2016 amounting to P4,808,283.63.
In its decision, the anti-graft court said that Villarosa, as local chief executive of Mamburao, is "duty bound" to enforce the provisions of RA 8291. However, he failed to remit the GSIS contributions within 30 days from which they became due and demandable, the court said.
While Villarosa argued that he passed the responsibility of signing checks for the payment of the GSIS contributions, the court said that he failed to adduce evidence proving such delegation of responsibility.
"Villarosa cannot absolve himself from liability by merely passing the buck to the municipal administrators," the decision stated. "Even granting that there was indeed a delegation, Villarosa should have followed up on the status of the items he has delegated," it said.
The Sandiganbayan has convicted former mayor Voltaire Anthony C. Villarosa of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro of violation of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997 and ordered his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
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