It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1689236/laguna-village-councilman-shot-dead |
A barangay councilor in Santa Maria town in Laguna province was shot and killed on Thursday, Nov. 3.The Region 4A police reported that John Vispo, a councilman in Barangay Cabuoan, was in a store at 8:20 p.m. when he had an altercation with one Reynald Ikling.
The heated argument prompted Ikling to shoot Vispo repeatedly with a handgun.
Police said the gunman fled after the shooting and left the village official dead on the spot.
The investigators did not specify the cause of the argument.
A further investigation was ongoing, while a manhunt was launched to arrest the assailant.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/04/husband-and-wife-ex-mayors-of-cagayan-townconvicted-in-p18-7-m-graft-malversation-cases/ |
Husband and wife who were former mayors of Amulung town in Cagayan have been convicted of graft and malversation by the Sandiganbayan for illegal disbursement of P18.7 million public funds from 2002 to 2009.
Former mayor Nicanor C. de Leon and his spouse, former mayor Pacita N. de Leon, were found guilty of one count each of graft and one count each of malversation.
Former municipal treasurer Luzviminda L. Macasio was convicted of two counts of graft and two counts of malversation.
They were sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment for each of their graft conviction. For malversation, Nicanor and Macasio were sentenced to 10 to 18 years, while Pacita and Macasio were sentenced to 10 to 13 years.
Nicanor and Macasio were each ordered to pay a fine of P16,340,959.04 for malversation, while Pacita and Macasio were each ordered to pay a fine of P2,332,182.61.
For civil liability, Nicanor and Macasio were ordered to refund to the Bureau of Treasury P16,340,959.04 plus interest, while Pacita and Macasio were ordered to pay back P2,332,182.61 also with interest.
Nicanor and Macasio were found to have released municipal funds through the issuance and encashment of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) checks amounting to P16,340,959.04 from Oct. 2, 2002 to July 2, 2007. The second set of graft and malversation charges against Pacita and Macasio involved P2,332,182.61 from Aug. 30, 2007 to Jan. 2009.
In a decision promulgated last Nov. 3, the Sandiganbayan said the accused “were united not only in the perpetration of fraud, but also in its concealment.”
“She [Pacita] and her spouse have failed to present adequate evidence that can nullify any likelihood that she/he, together with accused Macasio and Remudaro, had put Amulung’s funds to personal use,” the anti-graft court said.
“Since they had failed to explain satisfactorily the shortage in Amulung’s accounts following Commission on Audit’s demand, the prima facie cases have not been effectively negated,” it said.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1689099/2-dswd-execs-sacked-after-cavite-mayor-complained-of-strict-requirements-for-aid |
2 DSWD executives have been sacked after the Mayor of Noveleta complained about strict requirements for aid.Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo ordered the relief of two department regional directors in Cavite after Noveleta Mayor Dino Chua complained of alleged strict requirements being asked from families recently affected by calamity.
Tulfo also ordered an investigation on the complaint of Mayor Chua on the alleged demand for several requirements by the DSWD personnel before releasing aids to the constituents last Monday, October 31.
In connection to this, Tulfo has temporarily transferred Region 4A Director Barry Chua and Assistant Regional Director Mylah Gatchalian to the DSWD Central Office while the Office of the Secretary conducts an investigation into the complaint.
It was learned that Assistant Secretary Maritess Maristela of the Special Concerns Division will temporary take the place of Director Chua.
Mayor Chua in his complaint said, “Many requirements are being asked, people had been ravaged by the recent typhoon then they want people to suffer some more by demanding indigency certificate, residency certificate, ID, among others. The President has spoken already not to add burden to these people."
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| https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/06/leyte-village-chair-nabbed-in-drug-sting/ |
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a barangay chairman and his companion in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bonifacio, Mayorga, Leyte, on Saturday night, Nov. 5.
The suspect was identified as Junipher Lumpas, 46, the chairman of Barangay Poblacion Zone 2, Mayorga. His companion was identified as Bernard Silos, 22, a laborer, a resident of Barangay Bonifacio.
Lumpas is listed as a high-value individual on the regional level of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the quantity of illegal drugs he was able to sell.
Suspects were arrested after they sold a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu worth P1,000 to a poseur-buyer.
They also yielded five grams of suspected shabu valued at P34,000 and the marked money.
Suspects are under the custody of the Mayorga municipal police station and face drug-related charges.
Two men were arrested in Caloocan City after they were caught with illegal weapons. One of them is said to be a police officer assigned to the Quezon City Police District.In a report by Jhomer Apresto on Super Radyo dzBB, it was said that the personnel of the Northern Police District arrested Police Staff Sergeant Gideon Geronga Jr. and Ulrik Waldemar in Barangay 176, Bagong Silang.A concerned citizen approached the police mobile patrol and said that the suspects who were in Phase 7 in the said area were carrying guns, according to the Northern Police District.When they went to the place, Geronga and Waldemar were seen handing out guns.When the authorities approached, the suspects ran away but were caught immediately.Here it was learned that the person who handed over the gun was Geronga assigned to QCPD Station 16.At the moment, it is not clear why Geronga handed over a gun with three magazines and more than 20 rounds of ammunition.The arrested suspects will be charged with violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1690058/village-councilor-shot-dead-in-cavite |
A barangay kagawad (village councilor) in Tanza, Cavite was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Sunday.In a report Monday, the Region 4A police said Jimbo Villanueva, an incumbent councilor of Barangay Paradahan 2, was managing the flow of traffic in a funeral procession in the village at around 2:30 p.m.
The assailants, who were aboard a black motorcycle without a plate number, repeatedly shot the victim.
Investigators said the assassins sped off after the shooting.
Villanueva was taken to MV Santiago Hospital in Trece Martires City, but he died at 3:55 p.m. while undergoing treatment.
A village councilor has been assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/07/bucors-bantag-security-officer-zulueta-chargedas-principals-in-percy-lapid-middleman-killings/ |
Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag and BuCor’s Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta were charged as “principals by inducement” in the murder of Percy Lapid and inmate Cristito Villamor Palana, the alleged “middleman” in the slaying of the radio commentator last Oct. 3 in Las Pinas City.
The “middleman,” earlier identified as Jun Globa Villamor, died last Oct. 18 at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City barely a few hours after self-confessed Percy Lapid’s gunman, Joel S. Escorial, was presented to the media.
Escorial, in his confession, said he shot Percy Lapid three times which caused the radio commentator’s death.
The autopsy on Villamor’s remains showed that the manner of his death was “homicide” thru “asphyxiation” which was consistent with the testimonies gathered during the joint NBI-PNP probe.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, on instructions by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ordered Bantag’s preventive suspension in connection with Villamor’s death.
In a statement during the press conference, the DOJ, DILG, NBI and PNP said:
“It was found through the investigation that both Director-General Gerald Bantag and DSO Ricardo Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor.
“Director-General Bantag had a clear motive to effect the murders.
“For Percy Lapid, it was the continued exposé by the latter of the issues against the former on his show, ‘Lapid Fire.’"
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1188023 |
A village councilor of Barangay Alijis here was arrested together with her driver during a buy-bust that yielded PHP1.37 million in suspected shabu along Taculing Road on Tuesday.Police identified the suspect as Abby Araneta, 28, a resident of ECC Villas Subdivision, and Freely Boy Aldas, 39, of Purok Cabugwason, Barangay Mansilingan, both tagged as high-value individuals by the Bacolod City Police Office.
Araneta, a single mother, is in her second term as a member of the Alijis Barangay Council and had also served as chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
“I have no comment. Since I became SK chairman in 2010 and became a kagawad for two terms for 11 years, Barangay Alijis knows me. Only the people of Alijis and those who know me can defend me,” Araneta said in the local dialect during an interview at the custodial facility of Police Station 7.
According to the police report, an undercover policeman purchased PHP5,000 worth of shabu from Araneta in a meet-up at around 3:15 a.m. during the operation initiated by the City Drug Enforcement Unit, which placed her under surveillance after receiving information about her alleged involvement in illegal drugs last month.
Operatives seized from the subject 12 sachets and two knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing the prohibited substance, weighing 201 grams with a standard drug price of PHP6,800 per gram.
They also recovered Araneta’s white Toyota Vios car, mobile phone, sling bag, and PHP700 cash.
Both suspects will be charged with violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who personally knows Araneta, said the arrest of the barangay official should serve as a lesson not only to elected officials but also to other individuals involved in illegal drugs.
“It’s a lesson learned. You can’t escape the law. I pity her,” he added.
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| https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/08/22/coa-orders-ex-caap-officials-to-return-p192-million-achievement-bonus |
The COA has ordered the CAAP to return P192 million in bonuses which were deemed irregular.The Commission on Audit proper has ordered former Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines officials to return to government coffers a total of P192.188 million "achievement bonuses" given to officers and employees in 2014.
In the decision dated January 24, 2022 but was made public recently, the commission affirmed the notices of disallowance issued to various CAAP offices as it denied the petition of former officials led by retired Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III, Concordia Pagkaliwangan, Jocelyn Ching, Raul Eusebio, Rosario Nalungon and Fe Evangelista.
The former officials assailed the decision of the COA Corporate Government Sector Cluster Division holding them liable for the bonuses.
“The authorizing, approving and certifying officers remain solidarily liable for the total amount of disallowance which shall be reduced by the refunds made by the payees who are liable to return the amounts they actually received,” the COA proper said in the decision signed by then COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Commissioner Roland Pondoc.
The commission noted that the petition for review was filed beyond the reglementary period of 6 months to 180 days but it was set aside and the issue was resolved based on the merits of the case.
The COA stated that the granting of achievement bonuses was in violation of various laws and government regulations such as Republic Act No. 10149 or the Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporation Governance Act of 2011, Executive Order No. 07 series of 2010, Administrative Order No. 103 series of 2001 and COA Circular No. 2013-003.
The decision also stressed that the achievement bonuses were not included in the 2014 CAAP Corporate Operating Budget and were thus deemed an irregular expenditure.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1188022 |
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., on Tuesday ordered a manhunt against the suspects in the killing of a police officer in Cagayan province on Monday night.
“I trust that Police Regional Office (PRO) 2 (Cagayan Valley) thru Abulug Police Station is now seriously engaged in extensive investigation and follow-up operations to identify and immediately arrest the gunmen who killed Major Rafael Tangonan who was assigned in the Regional Finance Service Office 2. I am reiterating my directive to conduct a thorough manhunt to apprehend the suspect/s,” Azurin said in a statement.
Reports said the victim was driving his white Toyota Hilux with plate number ACA-228 when two men riding in a brown Toyota Innova suddenly pulled up beside him and shot Tangonan on Monday night at Barangay Libertad in Abulug town.
The unidentified suspects fled after the incident.
Azurin also expressed hope that the case will be immediately resolved through the help of technology, citing leads obtained from digital pieces of evidence from closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage that may have captured the movement of the suspects before, during, and after the shooting.
“While these police actions unfold, the PNP is extending all possible assistance to the family of Major Tangonan including administrative processes required for the immediate release of benefits and other financial claims. This case will not go unsolved, punishment is certain to those responsible for this heinous crime,” said Azurin.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1188221 |
Members of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) anti-scalawag unit arrested a police officer for grave coercion and cybercrime offenses in Bulacan early Thursday.Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) said Pat. Julius Ramos, who is assigned at the Service Support Division of the PNP Intelligence Group at Camp Crame, was arrested in an entrapment at around 12:30 a.m.
The operation stemmed from the complaint of the suspect's former partner that he threatened to leak their intimate videos on social media if she refuses to meet up with him.
During the arrest, the suspect was caught at a traveler's inn in Barangay Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan together with the complainant.
The suspect offered to delete the naked video of the complainant stored in his cellphone in exchange for sexual intercourse and coerced the complainant to submit to his will.
The suspect will be charged with administrative and criminal charges of grave coercion, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 20212, and the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1188051 |
The Sandiganbayan has ruled to continue with the trial of a former Bataan provincial governor facing graft charges.A resolution dated Nov. 3 written by Associate Justice Edgardo M. Caldona turned down a motion filed by Leonardo B. Roman, then Bataan provincial governor, who is accused of graft in the 2003 contract for the construction of a mini-theater at the Bataan State College in Abucay town which allegedly benefited a private contractor, VF Construction.
Roman had filed a "motion for leave to file a demurrer to evidence" last September which seeks the outright dismissal of a case based on the apparent insufficiency of the prosecution's evidence even without the defense giving its side.
"After a circumspect consideration of the arguments presented by the parties, the Court is of the considered view that the motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence (filed by Roman) is bereft of merit," the court said in ordering the case to proceed.
The construction contract had been ruled to be void and illegal as found by the Commission on Audit (COA) in its audit observation memorandum, which cited a lack of valid appropriation and noticed that there had been no stipulation on the period of performance or target completion date.
Despite the defects in the contract, Roman allegedly signed questionable documents particularly a certificate of acceptance, an accomplishment report, and a certificate of completion as well as checks made to the firm amounting to PHP3.31 million.
The COA also said the construction was only 50 percent completed contrary to the alleged completion of the project.
Graft charges against a former governor stemming from an illegal construction contract are going to proceed.
