It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has dismissed a viral cop who criticized top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their alleged hand in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
During the deliberations on Wednesday, the Napolcom en banc found Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas guilty of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and disloyalty to the government.
The commission also perpetually disqualified Fontillas from returning to public service.
Duterte was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) against him.
The former president was flown to The Hague and is now awaiting trial for crimes against humanity, specifically regarding the killings that occurred during his administration’s war on illegal drugs.
Fontillas also criticized the ICC and Interpol but resigned on April 10 after his tirades against Duterte’s arrest went viral.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer (VCEO) Rafael Vicente Calinisan, however, said Fontillas’ resignation won’t free him from administrative and criminal charges.
“Since Fontillas was already formally charged in the Napolcom before his resignation, the Napolcom already acquired jurisdiction over his person. Thus, no matter what Fontillas claims, he cannot conveniently escape liability through resignation, and was thus made liable, as he should be,” Calinisan said.
“While we wanted to be kind given Fontillas' condition, the paramount interest of the Filipino People is what is at stake. The Napolcom exercises administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP under the Constitution.”
Calinisan said Napolcom “will go hard against rogue cops who would tarnish the uniform and erode the public trust."
The National Police Commission has dismissed a viral cop who criticized top officials of the Philippine National Police for their alleged hand in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Former Tagbilaran City, Bohol Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II faces a disqualification complaint after he was allegedly caught on video promising cash incentives to voters.
In a joint affidavit filed by five residents and registered voters of Barangay Bil-Isan, Panglao, Bohol, Yap, who is running for congressman in the first district of Bohol, is accused of publicly offering money in exchange for votes during a campaign engagement captured on video.
The complaint stated that Yap’s act was considered vote-buying and a violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
The complainants – Alfeo Estologa Usaraga, Albert Guibone Bompat, Renato Aronales Sarahina, Olimpio Bonao Bompat, and Ursula Hormachuelos Bompat – testified under oath that they personally viewed a video posted on the Facebook page “Voice of Boholanon” on April 26.
In the video, Yap is seen and heard declaring in Boholano: "Two months from now, Baba Yap will return. I will give P5,000, but if it is a senior citizen, I will give P20,000! A senior citizen already clapped at the back!"
The complainants claimed this statement was clearly made in the context of campaign activities and was intended to influence or induce voters, a violation of Section 261(a) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 or the Omnibus Election Code that prohibits vote-buying.
The video, which remains accessible via the Facebook page, was cited as key evidence. The complainants asserted that the footage is genuine, unaltered, and accurately represents the events as they transpired.
They authenticated the video evidence in their affidavit and attested to its accuracy and relevance in support of their petition to disqualify Yap from the congressional race. The document was signed and sworn before a notary public in Tagbilaran City.
If found guilty of vote-buying, Yap could face disqualification under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Former Tagbilaran City, Bohol Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II faces a disqualification complaint after he was allegedly caught on video promising cash incentives to voters.
Police arrested a government employee for grave threats and gun ban violation after he was involved in a traffic accident on May 7.
Taguig police identified the suspect as alias Reynaldo, 28, who was arrested in Barangay Central Bicutan for grave threats and violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act) in relation to Republic Act 7166 (Omnibus Election Code).
Reynaldo was involved in a traffic accident and was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
He had a heated argument with a complainant, police said. The suspect alighted from his vehicle, drew his firearm and cocked it while uttering offensive and threatening words.
The complainant, who was with a witness, immediately requested assistance from the police that resulted in the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the gun.
Reynaldo is under the custody of Taguig police. Charges will be filed against him.
A government employee has been busted for making threats and violating the gun ban after he was stopped for a traffic violation.
Former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman Efraim Genuino and four other former top officials of the state gaming firm have been sentenced to over 100 years of imprisonment for multiple counts of graft and malversation involving the alleged misuse of P50.05 million in agency funds.
In a 257-page decision promulgated yesterday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division found Genuino, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office president and chief operating officer Rafael Francisco, former senior vice president for administration Rene Figueroa, former SVP for corporate communications services Edward King and former assistant vice president for the internal audit Valente Custodio guilty of five counts each of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
They were also convicted of five counts of malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.
For the graft charges, each was sentenced to six to 10 years in prison per count and perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
For malversation, the penalties imposed were: 10 to 17 years of imprisonment for two counts, six to 11 years for one count and reclusion perpetua – or 20 to 40 years – for the remaining two counts. They were also ordered to pay a total fine of P45.17 million.
Despite the cumulative sentences, they will not serve the entire period in prison. Under Article 70 of the Revised Penal Code, the maximum period of imprisonment for a felony in the Philippines is 40 years.
The court also ordered the temporary archiving of cases against former PCSO vice president for the accounting department Ester Hernandez, who remains at large. Her cases may be revived upon arrest or voluntary surrender.
In convicting Genuino and the other officials, the court ruled that the prosecution, led by the Office of the Ombudsman, sufficiently proved that they conspired in the irregular disbursement of P50.05 million in PCSO funds between 2005 and 2008.
These disbursements were allegedly used to purchase tarpaulins, shirts, caps and other promotional items, as well as fund activities of the BIDA Foundation, an organization founded by Genuino in 2003.
The court said these purchases did not undergo public bidding or proper processing by PAGCOR’s Procurement Department. Instead, the accused officials resorted to “shopping” or small-value procurement without valid justification.
“Most notably, there was a lack of public bidding. The huge amounts disbursed for BIDA members’ identification cards and pins (i.e., P2,315,625; P771,875 and P8,820,000) all exceeded the threshold amount that would warrant resort to alternative modes of procurement,” the Third Division’s decision read.
The Commission on Audit had flagged the disbursements, noting that the funds were not properly liquidated.
However, Genuino and his co-accused were acquitted of 14 other counts of graft and 15 counts of malversation related to separate transactions.
These include donations totaling P44.05 million to various private entities including BIDA Foundation; the purchase of P26.7 million worth of tickets for the 2008 film Baler, a co-production between Viva Communications and BIDA and tri-media advertisements for BIDA amounting to P63 million in 2008 to 2009.
The Sandiganbayan ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in those specific cases.
The ombudsman earlier alleged that Genuino diverted PAGCOR funds to BIDA Foundation to support its bid for a seat as party-list in the House of Representatives during the May 2010 elections. BIDA, however, lost.
Former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman Efraim Genuino and four other former top officials of the state gaming firm have been sentenced to over 100 years of imprisonment for multiple counts of graft and malversation involving the alleged misuse of P50.05 million in agency funds.
The National Police Commission yesterday vowed to achieve zero backlog in the number of administrative cases against members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) pending before the Napolcom by the end of the year.
At a press conference, Napolcom vice chairman Rafael Calinisan admitted that thousands of cases have been pending before the commission for years.
“In fact, the other day, we resolved a case pending for 18 years and the other one, for 21 years. I am now part of the commission. I cannot point fingers. What we will do now, since I am now the head of Napolcom as vice chairman and executive officer, we will clear all of this,” Calinisan said.
At the same time, he said the involvement of 15 members of the Valenzuela City police, including the chief investigator, in robbery-extortion was not an isolated case.
“I am very sad, bordering on anger, as this is not an isolated case. There must be reforms in the current setup of the PNP,” Calinisan said.
Three of the officers were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) as well as other PNP units in Barangay Malinta on Wednesday.
“My instruction is to have zero backlog by December 2025. Our plan is, 60 days from the filing of the complaint, a decision should be issued. Justice must be rendered for both the complainant (and) the respondent. If you are innocent, your case will be finished. But if you are guilty, you will be removed from the service. It goes both ways,” he added.
He said the Napolcom is also reviewing the recruitment process of the PNP.
“Maybe there is something that we are missing. What we are looking into are two things. Is it a neuro-psychological problem? Is there something wrong with the process? Then we will make it stricter,” he said.
The National Police Commission yesterday vowed to achieve zero backlog in the number of administrative cases against members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) pending before the Napolcom by the end of the year.
A barangay chairman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while entering the barangay hall in Barangay 2 here on Friday afternoon, May 9.
The Police Regional Office-2 identified the victim as Barangay Chairman Bernardo Gacuan, 72.
The victim was taken to a hospital in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan where he was declared dead.
The gunmen fled onboard a blue and black Aerox motorcycle without license plates.
The gunman was wearing a long-sleeved black top and gray jeans while his driver was clad in a black jersey tank top and black pants.
Police Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr., PRO-2 chief, said they are pursuing the suspects and conducting follow-up investigation.
A barangay chairman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while entering the barangay hall.
Two city hall personnel were killed while five others were hurt in a shooting incident in Silay City, Negros Occidental on Election Day on Monday.
According to a report of GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas’ Aileen Pedreso, the victims were having coffee when perpetrators aboard a van fired shots at them around 6 a.m.
The victims were reportedly on duty to monitor any vote buying incidents in the area for election 2025.
While there is no clear motive yet, a barangay captain in the city is being considered as a suspect behind the shooting incident, the report said.
Police launched a hot pursuit operation against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the five injured victims are still in the hospital for medical treatment.
Two city hall personnel were killed while five others were hurt in a shooting incident in Silay City, Negros Occidental on Election Day.
A teacher who was set to serve as an electoral board member at a school in Basilan was shot by unidentified assailants on Sunday, just a day before the National and Local Elections (NLE).
According to Colonel Jay-Jay Javines, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), the female teacher was riding a motorcycle from Lantawan, Isabela earlier Sunday, May 11, 2025 when she was ambushed in Barangay Sumagdang, Isabela City, Basilan.
The teacher was supposed to serve at a school in Barangay Mangas, Lantawan during the election.
WestMinCom reported that the suspects are still unidentified, but the victim is receiving treatment at a hospital and is now out of danger.
Colonel Javines stated, "We still need to investigate the motive behind the shooting. Fortunately, she is now out of harm's way."
In response to the incident, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) WestMinCom has doubled security measures for those serving as electoral board members and other election-related assignments.
"The teachers will go with our security forces. We will have a convoy security, providing them with military escorts and military convoy aboard military vehicles," said Colonel Javines.
A teacher who was set to serve as an electoral board member at a school in Basilan was shot by unidentified assailants on Sunday, just a day before the National and Local Elections.
A police officer and two individuals were killed in a shooting incident in Sitio Imus, Barangay Samon, this town, before dawn on Sunday, May 11.
The slain police officer was identified as Police Staff Sgt. Dennis Jali Oria, 33, assigned to the Tayug, Pangasinan Police Station.
The suspects were identified as Michael, 49, of Barangay Santo Cristo, Baliaug, Bulacan; Rudy, 51, of Barangay Carusucan Norte, Asingan, Pangasinan; and Bernardo, 52, a retired Philippine Navy personnel, of Barangay Amancosiling Sur, Bayambang, Pangasinan.
Probers said that the fatalities and suspects were on board two separate vehicles when they engaged in a heated argument.
Both groups drew guns and fired at each other. Two individuals were killed.
Oria was driving his motorcycle on his way home and was about to verify the incident but he was shot and killed by the suspects.
The suspects were arrested by the police in a follow-up operation.
Police recovered four short firearms and the vehicle used by the suspects.
Further investigation is ongoing.
A police officer was killed in an incident which also involved a retired Philippines Navy personnel.
Outgoing Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba was recently sentenced to up to six years in prison in connection with a cyberlibel case filed by Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Mamba has maintained that his remarks against Enrile are not libelous, and that his camp has already appealed the decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24.
Judge Maria Victoria Soriano-Villadolid found Mamba guilty of violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“Judgment is hereby rendered finding accused Manual Noveno Mamba guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Violation of Section 4(c) (4) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” according to the court’s ruling promulgated on April 11.
The Manila court has imposed an indeterminate penalty of four years, two months, and one day of prison time as a minimum and six years of prison time as a maximum.
Mamba was also ordered to indemnify Enrile P150,000 for moral damages, and P150,000 for exemplary damages.
“We just filed an MR on the same,” Mamba said in a text message. “We are still hoping that this will be considered since I just quoted the Inquirer editorial describing him as an ‘opportunist, utilitarian, and unprincipled.’ We find no malice in quoting the Inquirer editorial when he assumed the Senate presidency during President GMA’s (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) incumbency,” he added.
When reached for comment, JPE’s legal team replied: “Mamba brought this case upon himself—he unleashed those venomous, libelous words, owned up to them, and practically dared JPE (Enrile) to drag him into the courtroom, convinced he would slip free. But when justice was served and he was convicted beyond any reasonable doubt, he suddenly disowns those words, howls in protest, and clings desperately to an appeal!”
“This is nothing but a coward’s retreat from the very battle he provoked with reckless arrogance. Let the record be clear, as the court already ruled: Mamba’s malice has been exposed, his true nature unmasked for all to see, and no appeal, no matter how fervent, can erase this undeniable truth,” they added.
Outgoing Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba was recently sentenced to up to six years in prison in connection with a cyberlibel case filed by Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Barangay Lantad, Silay City Negros Occidental Chairman Arnie Benedicto voluntarily turned himself in to authorities hours he was linked to a shooting incident in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City in which two people were killed on Election Day.
Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez, Negros Occidental police, confirmed that Benedicto, assisted by his legal counsel, submitted himself for investigation on Monday afternoon.
He is currently under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental in Bacolod City.
The barangay official has yet to release a statement about the incident.
De Chavez said that investigation is ongoing to determine Benedicto’s alleged participation in the killing.
Police are pursuing his two cohorts.
Police suspect the killing is election-related.
Follow-up investigation is ongoing.
The Commission on Elections-Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) said that the elections in Negros Occidental was relatively peaceful despite the incident.
Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said that there was no other reported act of violence or act of terrorism in the province.
Macue said authorities considered the incident in Silay City more of a peace and order concern rather than an electoral concern.
He said that it did not hamper the conduct of the elections in the city and did not affect the total conduct of the elections in the province. “It has little to minimal effect at all,” he added.
Macute said the incident happened a kilometer away from the polling center in Silay City, and did not result into any electoral concern as well as to other polling precincts.
“It just enhanced police and military presence which adds more security to the people there voting,” he added.
The incident was hyped on social media but it did not hamper the electoral process, according to Macute.
However, since it happened on Election Day, the incident was still counted as an election-related case as it involved supporters of a political candidate, Macute said.
Macute said that a thorough investigation is ongoing and assured that police is on top of everything.
With the incident, Macute said that they might raise the category of Silay City from green to yellow or with a history of election-related incidents, or orange category or areas with existence of serious armed threats, in the next elections.
Barangay Lantad, Silay City Negros Occidental Chairman Arnie Benedicto voluntarily turned himself in to authorities hours he was linked to a shooting incident in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City in which two people were killed on Election Day. He was later charged with murder.
