Retards in the Government 266

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177996

Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have arrested an active police officer wanted for carnapping cases in Cotabato City on Wednesday.

In a statement Friday, Brig. Gen. Samuel Nacion, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), identified the suspect as Pat. Jassim Muhammad Aking.

Aking, a member of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO BARMM), was arrested in an operation in 28th Purok Pinnen, Rosales Street, Barangay Rosary Heights VI at around 2 p.m.

The suspect has a standing arrest warrant for two charges of carnapping in violation of the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 with a fixed bail of PHP300,000 for each case.

The operation was recorded using one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device, in compliance with the rules on the use of recording devices during law enforcement operations.

A certain Jacob Maliga, 65, filed a complaint against Aking after he allegedly stole his Honda XRM motorcycle worth PHP35,000.

Another complainant, Julieto Eden Gornez Jr., also filed raps against the accused after he allegedly stole his brown Mitsubishi Estrada pick-up worth PHP750,000.

The suspect was brought to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) BARMM Office in Cotabato City for documentation and processing. 

A cop on active duty has been arrested for carnapping.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/01/pnp-cidg-nabs-barangay-captain-over-ties-to-gun-for-hire-group/

A barangay captain in Barira, Maguindanao was arrested by the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Thursday, June 30, for allegedly being a member of a gun-for-hire group.

Usop Sanggakala Aron, 53, incumbent captain of Brgy. Ruminimbang in Barira town, was collared at his house in the same area by joint elements of the PNP-CIDG and Special Action Force (SAF) around 12 noon under Oplan Paglalansag-Omega / Salikop.

According to CIDG, the suspect was served with a search warrant issued for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

“Usop Sanggakala Aron is a member and is providing armaments and harboring the Tating Sarip CG [criminal group],” the PNP-CIDG said in a statement.

The Tating Sarip group is allegedly an unlisted criminal group under the supervision of the Dawlah Islamiyah which is involved in gun-for-hire. Gun-running, and extortion activities in Parang and Barira towns of Maguindanao.

The CIDG said they confiscated from Aron’s possession four caliber M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle with an attached M203 grenade launcher, a customized M16 rifle, a caliber .38 pistol, and over 1,000 rounds of live ammunition and magazines.

Aron was brought to the CIDG regional field unit office in BARMM for documentation and proper disposition. 

A barangay captain has been arrested in connection with his ties to a gun running group under the supervision of ISIS. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620035/commission-on-audit-flags-congested-ph-jails

Seventy-one percent or 337 out of 474 jail facilities are heavily congested by as much as 2,696 percent, leading to unhealthy living conditions for the country’s persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

This is as the population in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) facilities rose from 115,336 in 2020 to 125,247 in 2021.

Although efforts in constructing new jail facilities and decongesting jails were noted, state auditors lamented that congestion of jail facilities has always been one of the BJMP’s challenges.

In its 2021 audit report on the BJMP, the COA found that there are 474 jail facilities with a population of 125,347 inmates as of the end of 2021.

Of these facilities, 337 are “heavily congested with occupancy rates ranging from 101 to 2,796 percent, or congestion rates of one to 2,696 percent.”

The average congestion rate of the 337 jails is 254 percent, or an occupancy rate of 354 percent—which means that there are four PDLs in every 4.7 square meters.

These do not conform with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the BJMP’s Manual on Habitat, Water, Sanitation and Kitchen in Jails.

The BJMP’s manual prescribes an ideal habitable floor area of 4.7 sqm for each inmate.

With a maximum congestion rate of 2,696 percent or an occupancy rate of 2,796 percent, it would mean that there are 28 PDLs occupying every 4.7 sqm.

The COA flags the BJMP for having overcrowded prisons. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620408/nbi-files-murder-raps-vs-police-for-death-of-bilibid-inmates

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder charges against 22 police officers for the death of 8 New Bilibid Prison inmates (NBP) inmates.

NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed in a text message that the 22 are from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) assigned to the Bureau of Corrections at the time of the inmates’ death.

NBI investigation showed that COVID-19 may have used as a cover for the deaths of the inmates.

The complaint was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The NBI conducted an investigation upon orders of the DOJ on July 2020 following the death of high profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian.

However, BuCor has refused to give details and disclose identities of the inmates citing the Data Privacy Act.

Then Senate President Vicente Sotto III quoting an unnamed police official said there is no more way of knowing if BuCor replaced the body of the inmate as there were no more finger prints.

Then, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the Data Privacy Act could not be used as a reason for not disclosing the deaths of inmates citing transparency to prevent abuses such as fake or simulated deaths.

22 cops have ben charged with murdering prisoners.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1178008

A village chairperson was killed while his wife was unscathed in a drive-by shooting by riding in tandem gunmen in a remote town of Zamboanga del Norte, a police official said Friday.

Maj. Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula spokesperson, said Berting Inding, 54, was shot and killed around 11:58 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Tibangao, Siocon municipality.

Inding, the village chairperson of Balagonan, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at the Siocon District Hospital.

Chang said Inding was driving a motorcycle with his wife as the back rider when fatally shot by one of two men aboard another motorcycle that overtook them along the national highway in Barangay Tibangao.

She said the perpetrators sped off under the cover of darkness.

A barangay captain was assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1178041

A former village chairperson who failed in his vice mayoralty bid in Maguindanao was arrested Friday for possession of unlicensed high-powered firearms.

Usop Sanggacala Aron, former village chair of Barangay Rumirimbang in Barira town, Maguindanao, did not resist arrest when a warrant was presented to him at his house in Parang town, a report from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police office said.

Aron ran but lost in the vice-mayoralty race in Barira in the May 9 elections.

Lieutenant Col. Bernard Lao, head of the BARMM Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Aron yielded four M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an M203 rifle, a .380-caliber pistol, 16 pieces of 40mm grenade projectiles, and various ammunition.

Aron told police that he only owned two of the seized firearms although these were unlicensed.

He said the other firearms were pawned to his son by civilian neighbors and acquaintances.

A former barangay captain has been arrested for possessing unlicensed high power fire arms.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620625/bulacan-barangay-chairman-shot-dead

A barangay chairman from this town was shot and killed gunmen while driving his vehicle on his way home on Friday.

Police Colonel Charlie Cabradilla, Bulacan police chief, identified the victim as Marvin Avendaño, 48, barangay (village) captain of San Jose.

Based on initial investigation, Avendaño attended a birthday party in Barangay Buliran and was driving his vehicle when two gunmen standing on the side of the road shot him.

The two suspects immediately fled after the incident.

Cabradilla said further investigation and pursuit operations against the suspects are ongoing.

Another barangay captain assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620751/coa-flags-dilg-over-p577-million-unspent-pandemic-funds

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) failed to fully make use of its P4.038 billion COVID-19 budget for 2021, with P577.053 million in unused funds reverting to the general fund, according to state auditors.

The money was meant to pay for the hiring of 15,510 contact tracers last year and other pandemic-related expenses of the DILG’s regional offices, which received downloaded funds.

But the Commission on Audit (COA) found that P444.574 million of the unutilized funds were with the DILG central office.

“While the target number of contact tracers to be hired during the year was met, the funds allocated under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act and 2021 General Appropriations Act were not fully utilized,” a 2021 audit report on the DILG read.

As a result, the unused funds of P436,897,579.38 under the 2021 budget and P140,155,646.61 under continuing allotments, or a total of P577.053 million, reverted to the general fund.

The unused P577.053 million is 14.29 percent of the P4.038 billion that the DILG received in 2021 for its pandemic response.

“Funds were not fully utilized and later reverted to the unappropriated surplus of the general fund due to change of plans and funds intended for payment to contact tracers were not fully downloaded/transferred to regional offices and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), among others,” the COA said.

The COA has flagged the DILG for not utilizing all their funds.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620718/pro-11-physician-tagged-in-killing-of-student-in-davao-city

A physician of the Davao Police Regional Office (PRO 11) was tagged in the killing of a student outside a bar on Camus Extension in this city early Saturday.

Maj. Ma. Teresita Gaspan, Davao City Police Office spokesperson, identified the suspect as Marvin Rey Andrew Pepino, 31, of Hillside, Bajada. The slain student was Amir Mangacop of El Rio Subdivision, Bacaca.

In a statement, PRO 11 confirmed that Pepino, a non-uniformed member of PRO 11, as being a suspect.

“We assure all the parties and the public that this PRO will not, in any way, impede the legal process and guarantee a thorough, fair, and unbiased investigation; and appropriate criminal charges shall be filed accordingly,” the PRO said.

Maj. Eudisan Gultiano, PRO 11 spokesperson, said since Pepino, though a non-uniformed member, could carry a gun with him for as long as he had a license for it.

Based on an initial investigation, the physician and the student were involved in an altercation inside the bar.

A police officer tried to pacify them, but they kept quarreling as they went out of the bar.

The student then started punching at the suspect, who drew his gun and shot him.

A doctor working for the PNP has been accused of murder. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177960

Reelected Vice Mayor Adrian Ian Villaflor of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental has returned to serve his constituents for a second term on Thursday after posting bail for a murder case related to the death of a councilor in 2019.

On June 25, Presiding Judge Eric Anthony Dumpilo of Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental issued an order to release Villaflor and three councilors after posting a bail of 200,000 pesos each.

Villaflor, who was reelected during the May 9 polls with running-mate Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, was placed in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation-Bacolod District Office together with Councilor Jimmiedon Plaza when they surrendered to Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer in September last year after warrants of arrest were issued against them.

The two other accused, Councilors Morito Flores and Vincent Garcia, were detained in the municipal police station.

The vice mayor said the court allowed them to leave detention when they filed their certificates of candidacy and when they cast their votes.

On March 31, 2019, Councilor Jolomar Hilario was gunned down by alleged members of the New People's Army at his residence.

However, witnesses surfaced implicating the four accused in the death of Hilario. The four, however, said the case was a "political harassment".

A re-elected vice mayor is out on bail on a murder charge which he says is political harassment.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1178210

The Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested a former vice governor of the province of Batangas on charges of violence against women and children (VAWC) and illegal possession of firearms.

In a statement on Monday evening, ACG officer-in-charge, Brig. Gen. Bowen Joey Masauding, said Ricky Recto was arrested on July 3 by members of the ACG during the implementation of a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data (WSSECD) arising from an assault complaint filed by the suspect's former fiancée.

Based on the report, certain digital devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and desktop computers were taken from Recto's house.

The arresting team also saw five unregistered firearms which include a 12-gauge shotgun and four pistols -- two 9mm, one .25 caliber, and one .40 caliber

The suspect will also face another assault charge after he deliberately attacked one of the members of the operating team, Masauding said.

Ex-vice governor has been arrested for domestic violence and weapons violations.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/07/05/2193233/qc-govt-dismisses-policeman-shooting-man-during-melee

The Quezon City government People’s Law Enforcement Board dismissed a policeman for shooting a man during a scuffle using his service firearm while the election gun ban was in effect in a barangay in the locality,

In a 10-page decision, the Quezon City People's Law Enforcement Board said it found Police Senior Master Sergeant Chester Garchitorena guilty of Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer and Grave Misconduct.

The city information office said the complaint against Garchitorena stemmed from an incident on the evening of February 18 around 11:30 p.m. when he was involved in a fight between complainant, Florose Buenafe, and the policeman’s group while the complainant was out with his group of friends in Brgy. Greater Lagro.

Lawyer Rafael Calinisan, Executive Officer of the PLEB said that Garchitorena, who was assigned with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame, was dismissed from service with forfeiture of benefits and disqualification for re-employment in government service.

A police officer has been dismissed for shooting a man during a melee back in February.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/05/ex-town-mayor-3-others-to-undergo-trial-on-graft-case-sandiganbayan/

The Sandiganbayan has denied anew the motion of former Mayor Joselito A. Ojeda of Mulanay town in Quezon and three other municipal employees to dismiss the graft charges filed against them.

In a resolution, the anti-graft court denied their motion to reconsider the dismissal of their plea to file a demurrer to evidence – a pleading to dismiss the case on the ground of alleged weakness of the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Ojeda’s co-accused in the graft charges were Municipal Engineer and bids and awards committee (BAC) chairman Delio H. De Leon, BAC members Municipal Budget Officer Noel M. Eroa and Revenue Collection Clerk II Marina L. Palillio.

They were accused of giving unwarranted benefits or advantages to Alta Manpower Corporation (AMC) by recommending or awarding the contract to the company for the procurement of one unit generator set for P500,000.

The prosecution alleged that the award was made despite AMC’s ineligibility or disqualification in the technical component of the bid and contrary to pertinent procurement laws and regulations, therefore causing undue injury to the government.

In a resolution issued last May 16, the anti-graft court denied their Motion for Leave to File Demurrer to Evidence. Last May 20, they filed a motion for reconsideration.

But the Sandiganbayan said their arguments in the defense “may well be appreciated and threshed out in the course of the trial by presentation of defense evidence.”

An ex-town mayor and three others are being forced to face trial for graft.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/837206/sandiganbayan-finds-ex-afp-general-carlos-garcia-guilty-of-direct-bribery/story

The Sandiganbayan has found retired Major General Carlos Garcia guilty beyond reasonable doubt of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering, sentencing him to four years to eight years of imprisonment.

In an 8-page decision, the anti-graft court granted Garcia’s plea bargain to the lesser offense of direct bribery. Garcia was initially charged with plunder, which has a punishment of reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment.

Garcia, former Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for comptrollership, was also given a fine of P406.3 million, three times the total value of the gifts received as per his plea-bargaining agreement.

“The Court finds accused Carlos F. Garcia guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Direct Bribery, defined and penalized under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code,” the Sandiganbayan said.

In 2005 and 2009, Garcia was charged with plunder and money laundering for conniving and conspiring with co-accused members of his family, amassing P303.2 million worth of ill-gotten wealth in the form of funds, landholdings, and other real and personal properties.

Ex-AFP General has been found guilty of bribery and money laundering. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/06/22/coa-flags-deficiencies-in-national-dairy-authority-procurement

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged deficiencies in the procurement of fresh milk by the National Dairy Authority in 2021.

Government auditors noted in the annual audit report on the NDA, incomplete documents marred the feeding programs of the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

It was noted in the audit report that P108.977 million procurements of fresh milk through competitive bidding were not supported with post-qualification reports.

“Absence of the PQRs on the procurements of fresh milks totaling P108.977 million, posed risk of awarding the contract/s to supplier/s who may not be eligible and responsive to the requirements of the contract/s,” the auditors said.

The report however noted that the the NDA central office has committed to conduct training for its technical working group on its role in the post-qualification phase.

Delivery vouchers amounting to P225.25 million were also supported with deficient documentations such as purchase orders with no signatures of officers.

Auditors also found out that some delivery receipts did not match with the information in the inspection and acceptance receipts.

In one instance, 2,827 bottles were delivered in the delivery receipt, but the inspection and acceptance receipt showed 6,706 bottles.

Fresh milk amounting to P239.122 million were also procured from 9 suppliers through emergency procurement even though they did not qualify as farmers and fisher folk and agricultural cooperatives and enterprises, contrary to the Republic Act No. 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act.

The auditors told the NDA management to ensure that all receipts contain all relevant information before submitting to the accounting division for processing of payments for milk deliveries.

The COA has flagged purchase anomalies by the National Dairy Authority.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1178399

A barangay official in the South Cotabato town of Banga is facing a two-month suspension after refusing to surrender his membership in the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for indigents.

The quasi-judicial body of Banga's municipal council found San Vicente, Barangay Councilor Dexter Donasco guilty of Violation of Norms and Conduct of Public Officials and Employees under RA 6713, and for Overtly Committing Gross-Dishonesty provided in the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160).

The complaint stems from the resolution submitted by the Barangay Council of San Vicente.

The decision, signed by then outgoing Banga Mayor Albert Palencia on June 28, took effect on June 29.

Elpidio Patarata, San Vicente village chairperson, said Donasco became a member of 4Ps in 2009. He was first elected as a barangay councilor in 2012.

“The grievance committee of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) told Donasco to give up his membership in the 4Ps in 2014, but he refused. They returned again in 2020, still he refused,” Patarata said in an interview Wednesday.

Patarada said Donasco, who is now in his second term, did not give up his 4Ps membership because his children are still going to school.

He added that when they saw again the name of Donasco in the list of 4Ps beneficiaries, they immediately reported the matter and the village official was delisted by the DSWD-12.

Patarata noted that being a barangay councilor, Donasco is receiving a monthly honorarium of PHP11,000 which disqualifies him to be a beneficiary of the government’s anti-poverty program.

“Under the 4Ps guidelines, only government workers with a monthly honorarium of P5,000 and below are eligible for the program,” Patarata said.

He said the suspension of Donasco will also serve as a warning to other barangay officials who are taking advantage of the government’s program.

A barangay councilor is facing suspension for exploiting an anti-poverty program. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/06/arrest-warrant-issued-vs-bohol-mayor-convicted-of-graft/

A warrant of arrest has been issued against Marnilou Ayuban, the mayor of Alicia, Bohol who was convicted of graft.

Ayuban has yet to show up after an arrest warrant of was issued against him prior to his assumption into office.

He took his oath of office last June 8 before a notary public, Atty. John Edward Trinidad.

On June 16, Judge Jorge Espinal of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 in Carmen, Bohol issued a warrant of arrest against Ayuban and former councilors Paul Villas, the current municipal budget officer, and Eusebio Ayuban Jr.

This prompted Ayuban to designate Municipal Administrator Junavie Piquero as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Mayor from June 30, 2022 to July 15, 2022 through a June 30 memorandum order.

Ayuban has pending disqualification case and petition for cancellation of his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila filed by his opponent, former Mayor Victoriano Torres III.

After the elections, Torres filed quo waranto case before the RTC in Carmen on the ground of material misrepresentation for failure of Ayuban to declare his case in his COC.

Ayuban has been convicted of graft charges when he was a town councilor in 2002 along with seven others.

A newly elected mayor has been convicted of graft.