It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
Some employees of Barangay Umapad in Mandaue City, who have yet to receive their salaries for the last five months, filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas on Thursday afternoon, May 30.
The complainants, Gemma Mata Ortega, Girlie Reyes Gabisan, Lea Gabisan Jimenez, Lima Sotchesa Orogan, and Erwina Batulan Caño, filed cases against Barangay Councilor Libertine Lumapas for alleged violations of Republic Act 3019, citing grave abuse of authority and oppression.
At least 80 employees of Barangay Umapad have yet to receive their salaries for the last five months, or since January this year. These employees include barangay tanods, clean and green personnel, lupon members, drivers, and others.
Umapad Barangay Captain Reb Cortes said the payroll for these salaries could not be processed because it has yet to be signed by Lumapas, who chairs the Committee on Appropriations.
Cortes explained that the barangay is currently operating under a reenacted budget from 2023 after the proposed budget for 2024 was not approved by the opposition-dominated barangay council. He added that according to his inquiry with Atty. Giovanni Tianero, the city’s budget officer, the honoraria can indeed be disbursed by the barangay under a reenacted budget. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also gave the same opinion.
Barangay Councilor Lumapas has yet to respond to CDN Digital’s messages and calls for her reaction to the cases filed against her. However, in a previous message sent to CDN Digital, she stated that she did not sign the payroll because of alleged irregularities in the barangay’s payroll.
Lumapas asserted that her actions as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations are in accordance with the law.
Cortes believes that the ‘irregularities’ Lumapas refers to are the documents she demanded, such as the Daily Time Record, Oath of Office, and Concurrence of Appointment by the majority of the Sangguniang Barangay.
Cortes noted that most of the workers are job order employees and not elected officials, thus they do not require an Oath of Office. Furthermore, he believes that Concurrence of Appointment is only necessary for the Barangay Treasurer and Secretary.
Only two of the eight elected barangay councilors are allied with Cortes. He said that they have repeatedly asked Lumapas to sign the payroll, but she refuses.
Cortes also admitted that one of the unpaid workers is his ally who lost in the last Barangay Elections.
He claimed that the opposition councilors recommended 48 individuals for employment, but he only hired 20 because there are already existing workers employed.
With the cases filed at the Office of the Ombudsman by his employees, Cortes hopes for positive results and that the employees will receive their salaries soon.
Some employees of Barangay Umapad in Mandaue City, who have yet to receive their salaries for the last five months, filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas on Thursday afternoon, May 30.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has filed criminal and administrative cases against one of its personnel allegedly involved in an extortion attempt on a job applicant.
The PCG said the cases were filed against Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Ibrahim Banota who allegedly attempted to extort PHP150,000 from an applicant in exchange for guaranteed acceptance into the service.
“This occurred amid the ongoing PCG nationwide recruitment cycle for calendar year 2024,” it said in a statement Friday.
The extortion attempt was first reported on May 19.
Banota, who was part of the PCG Station Western Tawi-Tawi based in Zamboanga City, was arrested in an entrapment operation five days later.
He is facing estafa charges and an administrative case.
The PCG urged the public to report such illegal activities related to its recruitment.
A member of the Philippine Coast Guard is facing charges for extortion.
The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) arrested two Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel in Parañaque City for “publicly and improperly using the insignia ‘POLICE’ and ‘Master Rider’s Badge’.”
Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director Col. Neil Francia said the two escorts were assigned to the MMDA’s traffic aide unit and allowed to provide security to Senator Francis Tolentino.
The HPG official said the two MMDA staff were caught illegally using the insignia of the Philippine National Police and Master Rider’s Badge as printed on stickers attached to their motorcycles’ windscreen and saddle box.
Francia identified the two as Teofilo Labsan Padilla, 64, and Jonathan Alames Pacle, 42.
Based on the HPG’s report, the MMDA escorts were flagged down along J.W. Diokno Avenue corner Aseana Avenue on Wednesday, May 29, after operatives noticed they were using sirens, which violates Presidential Decree 96 and Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01 (motorcycle vehicle operating with unauthorized accessories, and devices such as blinkers and siren).
Operatives then asked the two MMDA personnel regarding police markings on their motorcycles, but Padilla and Pacle “refused to divulge any information.”
Francia said the arrested MMDA escorts are currently placed under the custody of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit- National Capital Region Investigation Branch for violating Article 177, Usurpation of Authority, and Article 179, illegal use of uniform or insignia of the Revised Penal Code.
He also said that Padilla and Pacle will be brought before the city prosecutor’s office for inquest proceedings while the motorcycles are temporarily impounded at the HPG field unit for further investigation and validation.
The Highway Patrol Group arrested two Metropolitan Manila Development Authority personnel in Parañaque City for “publicly and improperly using the insignia ‘POLICE’ and ‘Master Rider’s Badge’.”
A retired policeman wanted for allegedly raping his stepdaughter was arrested in Barangay Cabug here on Friday, May 31.
Police Capt. Michael Tuburan, head of Police Station 9, said the 78-year-old suspect was served a warrant of arrest for 13 counts of rape and acts of lasciviousness.
Tuburan said the Counter Intelligence Division-Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group (CID-IMEG) coordinated with them for the service of the arrest warrant.
He said the suspect, formerly a Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) assigned in Pangasinan, retired from the service in 2002.
The warrant with no bail recommended was issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 68 in Lingayen, Pangasinan on July 19, 2006.
Tuburan said they are waiting for authorities who will transport the suspect to Pangasinan.
A retired cop has been arrested for raping his stepdaughter.
A jealous policeman allegedly gunned down his colleague in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City on Friday, May 31.
The victim was identified as Police Staff Sgt. Jotham Arrem Tuto, 31, of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, assigned to the Mobile Patrol Unit (MPU) of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
The suspect identified as Police Patrolman Alvin Rios allegedly shot the victim using his service firearm when he saw him and his former live-in partner inside the bedroom of their house.
Police Major Eugene Tolentino, head of Police Station 8, said the victim tried to pacify the suspect, but the suspect still shot him. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Recovered from the crime scene were a .9mm caliber pistol, two fired cartridges, and four magazines with live ammunition.
The 26-year-old suspect from Antique, and his former live-in partner has a six-month-old son, according to the police.
The suspect, who was assigned to the 1st Mobile Force Company of Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO), is now under police custody.
Tolentino said they are preparing murder charges against the suspect.
A cop has been arrested for shooting a fellow cop.
Two police officers were relieved from their posts following the escape of eight detainees from the San Jose del Monte (SJDM) Police Station jail on Sunday.
The lead investigator of the case told INQUIRER.net on Monday that the two policemen are now under the custody of the San Jose del Monte City Police.
(The two were relieved and are now under administrative holding or restrictive custody while the investigation is ongoing. Their ranks are senior master sergeant and master sergeant.)
Earlier, Pating reported that eight persons deprived of liberty or PDLs, broke out of the facility on Sunday around 3 a.m.
He said that based on their initial investigation, the eight inmates escaped the SJDM jail through a window of a restroom by cutting its grills using a saw.
Pating also said four fugitives have since been recaptured as they visited their relatives or acquaintances in various San Jose del Monte City areas.
He said a pursuit operation was launched to rearrest the other four escapees.
Two cops have been relieved of duty and are now under custody over the escape of 8 prisoners.
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and two others for up to six months in connection with the graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The DILG alleged that Guo allowed illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOS) to operate in the municipality.
In an order dated May 31, the Ombudsman said it finds sufficient grounds to suspend Guo, Edwin Ocampo, and Adenn Sigua “considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt" on the charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty.
Ocampo is with the Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office while Sigua is a municipal legal officer.
The suspension was issued as “their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them,” the Ombudsman stated.
"They are preventively suspended, without pay, during the period of investigation until its termination, but not to exceed six months," the order read.
"The order is immediately executory. Notwithstanding any motion, appeal, or petition that may be filed by respondents seeking relief from this Order, unless otherwise ordered by this Office or by any court of competent jurisdiction, the implementation of this Order shall not be interrupted within the period of prescribed."
In its complaint, the DILG questioned Guo's divestment of shares in Baufo due to the disproportionate consideration compared to her investment.
Despite the raid on Zun Yuan and its predecessor Hong Sheng Gaming Technology Inc., the DILG alleges that Guo retained financial interest in Baufo Land Development Inc., which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission for alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention in March.
The DILG also accused Ocampo of processing permits for Zun Yuan despite incomplete documents.
Further, the DILG said Sigua failed to investigate the negligence of Sangguniang Bayan (local council) members and the Business Permit and Licensing Office.
Mayor Alice Guo has been suspended for six months pending an investigation into graft charges field by the DILG.
Four more police officers and a civilian have been charged in connection with a robbery incident that occurred at the house of a retired professor in Imus, Cavite last year.
The five brought to 12 the total number of respondents in the case that stemmed from a supposed anti-drug operation, according to the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
Lawyer Owen de Luna, chief of the Napolcom-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), yesterday said that complainant Rebecca Caoile and the Napolcom filed additional criminal charges such as unlawful arrest, violation of domicile and planting of evidence against the respondents.
“The charges were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on May 7,” De Luna told The STAR over the phone.
He said for the administrative aspect of the case, four officers filed appeals before the regional internal affairs service, while seven were dismissed from the service.
The DOJ ordered the policemen to appear before the preliminary investigation that would be conducted by Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Grace Pulido-Sadian on June 7.
Records showed that in August 2023, the accused officers barged into the house of Caoile in Barangay Alapan and arrested her and another person on alleged drug charges.
A viral footage of a closed-circuit television camera installed in the area showed the officers taking out items, including brand new motorcycle parts, from Caoile’s house.
Four more police officers and a civilian have been charged in connection with a robbery incident that occurred at the house of a retired professor in Imus, Cavite last year.
At least 50 policemen assigned in Bamban, Tarlac were sacked from their posts, a move that is believed to be connected to the filing of charges and eventually the suspension of Mayor Alice Guo over allegations of link to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in the area.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. confirmed the relief of the 50 policemen assigned to the Bamban Municipal Police Station.
Police Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo, Jr., director of the Police Regional Office (PRO3) presided over the turnover ceremony of the relieved cops and their replacements from the police mobile forces units in nearby areas on Monday morning.
According to Hidalgo, all the relieved policemen will undergo values formation seminars which is part of the internal cleansing program of the Philippine National Police.
50 cops have been relieved over links to POGOs.
Four police officers were arrested and charged for the alleged kidnapping of a Malaysian and three Chinese on June 2, according to Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos on Wednesday said that Senior Master Sergeant Angelito David, Master Sergeant Ralph Tumangil, Staff Sergeant Ricky Tabora and Major Carlo Villanueva were charged with kidnapping for ransom, robbery and carnapping.
Ten other civilians also reportedly involved with the kidnapping remain at large, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported.
Of the four victims, Abalos said that only two Chinese, identified as Meng Zhao, 29, and Yang Zhuan Zhuan, 30, were kidnapped early Sunday morning, while the two other foreigners, Shi Yi Xuan, 32, and a 25-year-old Malaysian, Tang Heng Fei, escaped.
(It happened early on June 2 at around 12:20 in the morning. Four foreigners were in a Lexus car, which was flagged down by PNP motorcycle cops on Taft Avenue in Pasay.)
(A white van was following these policemen on motorcycles.)
Citing a police report, the DILG official said the two who escaped reported the incident to barangay officials nearby.
To save their friends, Zhi and Tang paid a ransom worth P2.5 million, resulting in Meng and Yang’s release around 6 a.m. on June 3.
Upon receiving the information, National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Melencio Nartatez launched a search operation that led to the apprehension of the four suspects.
The Southern Police District and Anti-Kidnapping Group operatives took part in the arrest.
Four cops have been arrested for kidnapping.
Three police officers were arrested on June 2 for kidnapping two Chinese in Pasay and holding them for ransom.
A barangay tanod was allegedly gunned down by a retired police major over irrigation water in Purok 4, Barangay Nabbuan, this city, on Monday evening, June 3.
Police Lt. Col. Saturnino Soriano, Santiago City Police Station spokesperson, identified the victim as Sonny Julian, a resident of Purok 7, Nabbuan, Santiago City.
Soriano said the victim and two companions were onboard in a tricycle when the suspect appeared and shot him with a caliber. 38 revolver.
Julian died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds.
One of the victim’s companions was wounded. The other was unscathed.
The suspect fled after the incident.
Soriano said that the shooting was related to a dispute over irrigation water for a rice field.
He said that police are pursuing the suspect.
A retired cop has gunned down a barangay tanod.
A volunteer firefighter was arrested for rape in Port Area, Manila on Monday afternoon.
Police officers served an arrest warrant on Angelo Tapaya, 21, who resides in Baseco Compound.
Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 29 Judge Delight Aissa Salvador issued the warrant on May 29.
A volunteer firefighter has been arrested for rape.
The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended two Negros Occidental provincial government officials for six months without pay due to conflict of interest when they engaged in private law practice in 2020.
The Ombudsman found lawyers Rayfrando Diaz II and Chery Sheil Valenzuela guilty of violating Section 7(b)(2) of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The complaint was filed by former Attorney IV Roxenne Sumanting of the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) on June 20, 2022.
It stemmed from the alleged failure of the respondents to provide legal assistance or representation to the municipality of Binalbagan relative to an expropriation case that the town filed with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Himamaylan City and conflict of interest on the part of Diaz and Valenzuela who appeared as counsels for JLL Agriculture and Development, one of the defendants in the case during their incumbencies as provincial administrator and executive assistant II, respectively.
The Ombudsman, in a 20-page decision, stated that both admitted engaging in the private practice of their profession when they represented JLL, claiming that they were granted authority by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
“But appearing as counsel for JLL undeniably came in conflict with Diaz and Valenzuela’s obligations as officials of the provincial government of Negros Occidental,” according to the Ombudsman.
“Even if the trial court did not officially consider Valenzuela’s appearance during the pre-trial conference on January 27, 2020, the fact remains that she was still then counsel of JLL during the incumbency of her employment with the government which is prohibited,” it also said.
“Thus, substantial evidence exists that Diaz and Valenzuela committed violation of Section 7(b)(2) of RA 6713,” the Ombudsman said.
Section 7(b)(2), which refers to prohibited acts and transactions, states that public officials and employees during their incumbency “shall not engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution or law, provided that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official functions.”
The decision dated November 10, 2023 was penned by graft investigation and prosecution officer III Leilani Tagulao-Marquez and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on April 1, 2024.
The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended two Negros Occidental provincial government officials for six months without pay due to conflict of interest when they engaged in private law practice in 2020.
