Retards in the Government 293

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

  

 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/857296/ex-maguindanao-gov-sajid-ampatuan-found-guilty-of-graft-falsification/story/

The Sandiganbayan on Friday found former Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan guilty on eight counts of graft and eight counts of falsification of public documents charges involving P20 million worth of ghost projects involving roads.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, led by Associate Justice Mary Ann Corpuz-Mañalac, subsequently ordered the arrest of Ampatuan since the convicted former public official failed to be physically present for the promulgation.

"Considering he failed to appear in today's promulgation, he already waived the remedies available to him. Let a warrant of arrest be issued for apprehension and serving of sentence of Datu Sajid Ampatuan," Corpuz-Mañalac said, referring to the remedy of posting a cash bond double the amount of the existing cash bond for provisional liberty pending appeal and other related legal recourse.

Ampatuan was sentenced to six to eight years of jail time for each count of his graft conviction, and another two to six years jail time for each count of his conviction for falsification of public documents.

The anti-graft court also ordered Ampatuan to pay the Maguindanao provincial government P22 million as indemnity due to his multiple graft conviction.

Ampatuan was also ordered to pay a P5,000 fine for each of his falsification of public documents conviction.

Sought for comment, Ampatuan's counsel, Atty. Manuel Castro, said they will appeal the ruling. "We will file the necessary motion," he said.

On his client’s absence, Castro said Ampatuan "is not available today due to gout."

Castro, however, failed to secure a medical certificate attesting to such condition prior to the promulgation.

A former governor of Maguindanao has been convicted of graft. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192591

The Supreme Court has affirmed the ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman finding a former Iligan City mayor guilty of oppression and penalizing him with a fine equivalent to four months of his salary.

In its 12-page decision published online on Jan. 6, the high tribunal affirmed the 2012 ruling of the Ombudsman, which had already been affirmed by the Court of Appeals (CA) in 2014, finding former Iligan City mayor Lawrence Lluch-Cruz guilty of oppression in violation of Section 52 of the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

The complaint against the mayor was initiated by Roberto L. Ong, a licensed mechanical engineer in the Iligan City Engineer’s Office, and who had been reassigned to the city veterinarian’s office after he initiated an administrative case against the mayor and several persons in 2009.

Challenging his reassignment, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 2011 ruled in favor of Ong and struck down the mayor’s move for not being in conformity with the rules on reassignment.

The CSC added that the reassignment placed Ong on floating status and that the alleged need to rehabilitate the city's slaughterhouse, the reason given for the reassignment by the mayor, appeared to be an afterthought since the slaughterhouse and the city veterinarian’s office were separate and distinct offices.

Following the CSC ruling, Ong filed a complaint against the mayor before the Ombudsman which in 2012 found the mayor guilty of oppression and suspended him from service for four months.

The Ombudsman cleared the mayor however in the charge of violating RA 6713 or "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."

The Court of Appeals subsequently upheld the Ombudsman’s findings of oppression prompting the mayor to take the case to the SC.

“Clearly, petitioner (mayor) exercised an excessive use of authority to be able to oppress respondent (Ong) in retaliation to the complaints respondent filed against him,” the SC said in denying the mayor’s petition and finding him guilty of oppression.

The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a former Iligan City mayor for oppression. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/17/anti-drug-police-sarge-arrested-in-manila-buy-bust/

Anti-narcotics operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested on Monday night, Jan 16, a suspected drug pusher who turned out to be a police sergeant assigned to the Philippine National Police- Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

The arrest of Police Staff Sgt. Ed Dyson Banaag came as the PNP is currently awaiting for the completion of the submission of courtesy resignation of its 953 colonels and generals as part of the “radical” internal cleansing amid allegations of the return of “ninja cops”, or those recycling confiscated illegal drugs, in the police organization. 

Based on the report from the NCRPO, Banaag was the subject of a buy-bust of operatives of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the NCRPO at around 8:45 p.m. on Monday night at the corner of Rizal Avenue and Lope de Vega Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Banaag, assigned to the PDEG main office at Camp Crame in Quezon City, reportedly tried to flee using his motorcycle after sensing that it was a bust but he was eventually collared during a brief chase.

Seized from him were around 25 grams of suspected shabu with a street value of P170,000; the boodle money used in the transaction, his service firearm, and a PNP identification card.

Another cop has been busted for drugs. Two of his cohorts who are PNP officers have also been arrested. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717538/traffic-enforcer-arrested-in-quezon-city-for-alleged-extortion

A traffic enforcer has been arrested in Quezon City for alleged robbery-extortion, the police said Tuesday.

In a report, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Ronnie Santos, 27, was collared along Quirino Highway corner Gen. Luis Street in Novaliches on Monday following a report authorities received from a certain Marek Moens.

As reported by the QCPD, Santos stopped Moens and his girlfriend for allegedly breaking the “no entry-one way” sign while riding a motorcycle.

“[Santos] demanded P2,000 from victim Moens equivalent to the fine of their traffic violation, which was immediately given by victim Moens,” it added.

Afterwards, Santos allegedly let Moens go without issuing him a traffic ticket receipt, as reported by the QCPD.

Police said that upon Santos’ arrest, authorities seized from him the money Moens had paid him.

Santos is currently under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the QCPD.

A traffic enforcer has been arrested for extortion. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1715981/pnp-purge-of-narco-cops-goes-down-to-lower-ranks

The planned purge of police officers with alleged drug links continued down to the lower ranks of the Philippine National Police in Metro Manila after almost 90 percent the country’s police colonels and generals had tendered their courtesy resignations, according to a statement by the national capital police.

Police Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), on Thursday summoned 43 first- and second-level officers who were found allegedly involved in illegal drugs and placed on its “counterintelligence watch list” (CIW).

Only 31 of them appeared on Thursday at the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. The highest ranked was a lieutenant.

The CIW tagged 18 as “protectors” and 11 as extortionists. Five were “recycling,” three were using and another three helped in the “proliferation” of narcotics. The counterintelligence group also found one selling, another distributing and a third possessing drugs.

Addressing the officers who showed up for the “dialogue,” Estomo reiterated Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos’ call on the police top brass to resign and challenged the 31 who were present to also resign, and to submit to an investigation by an adjudication board to verify their involvement in illegal drugs.

There was also a surprise random drug test, to which all the officers agreed to undergo.

Many of the police officers who were summoned said they were “confused” and “dismayed” about their inclusion on the watch list, which was made by the Regional Intelligence Division whose sources included other officers and informants.

According to a police official who was present but requested not to be identified as he had no authority to speak with the media, one of the 31 denied he had illegal drug dealings and asked for a copy of the intelligence report implicating him. Another said he was already cleared by a previous investigation and was surprised that he was still on the list.

43 PNP officers from the NCR are being probed for drug links. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192909

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the sentence handed down by the Baguio City Regional Trial Court against two local officials for graft charges.

The anti-graft court Fourth Division upheld the eight-year jail terms of former Barangay Camp 7 chief Constancio Danao and treasurer Romel Beltran.

"The penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office was also correctly imposed," the tribunal said in the decision dated Jan. 13 and published Tuesday.

The court said it "sees no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the (Baguio City) court which it likewise finds to be in accord with the evidence on record."

The two were convicted for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with irregularities in the purchase of PHP370,000 worth of warning devices and disaster preparedness equipment in 2015.

The court found the two arrogated upon themselves the function of the bids and awards committee (BAC); concluded the procurement and disbursement processes even if they did not have the authority to do so; and acted with partiality in awarding the contract to supplier J&J Tools and Merchandise.

A witness also said a signature was forged to make it appear that equipment purchased were delivered.

The Ombudsman filed the case against the two in 2017 after finding probable cause in the complaint of village councilors and BAC members Juan Baldo, Marcelina Pucdo, Joel Buena and Susan Habbiling, who said they were informed of the opening of the supposed bids for the procurement but they were not aware of such project.

In May last year, the court also found Beltran guilty of four counts of falsification of public documents and malversation by making false entries in the Summary of Collections and Deposits when he altered remitted amounts, ranging from PHP300 to PHP1,000.

He was likewise sentenced to up to eight years.

The graft charges against two local officials has been upheld by the Sandiganbayan.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193024

The chief of the Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) on Thursday vowed to dismiss police officers who tested positive for illegal drug use.

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop PRO-10 director, said four police officers are set to be dismissed for illegal drug use, the latest of whom is assigned to Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

"We recorded this in 2022, and they will also face administrative charges," he said during a media forum here, referring to the erring police officers.

Coop said most of the administrative cases in the region are related to the use of illegal drugs following the series of random and unannounced drug testing.

Drug testing will continue for this year, he said, noting that it has always been part of the internal operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Four Mindanao PNP officers have tested positive for drugs and face dismissal. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193019

Two employees were relieved from their posts following reports of their alleged involvement in illegal activities, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday.

In an order signed by Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Jan. 17, the immigration officers were relieved pending investigation on allegations that they have been involved in trafficking activities at the Clark International Airport (CIA) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“We have received information that the two have links to trafficking syndicates. We are initiating an investigation to verify this information, and if there is indeed the probable cause, we shall file the appropriate case before the Department of Justice (DOJ),” he said in a statement.

Tansingco said the two personnel would temporarily be assigned to back-end office duties pending the investigation.

“While imposing penalties would be subject to the resolution of possible cases against them, we are relieving them from frontline duty to ensure unbiased investigation,” Tansingco said.

Two BI employees have been given office duties while they are being investigated for links to trafficking. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/19/2-village-chairs-wanted-for-murder-nabbed-in-bukidnon/

Police arrested two barangay chairmen wanted for murder in Don Carlos, Bukidnon on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Camiguin Provincial Field Unit identified the suspects as Saturnino Cuesta, 55, chairman of Barangay Mahayahay, Don Carlos, and Rudyrex Cinco, 42, chairman of Barangay Buyot, Don Carlos.

The suspects were nabbed through “Oplan: Pagtugis” and “Oplan: Salikop” launched by the CIDG-Bukidnon and other police units on a warrant of arrest in Poblacion, Barangay San Isidro, Talakag, Bukidnon.

Cinco is the leader and Cuesta is a member of the Cinco criminal group engaged in gun-for-hire and land-grabbing activities in Bukidnon, according to the CIDG.

The group is unlisted with the Directorate for Intelligence (DI), said Capt. Noel Oclarit, team leader of CIDG Camiguin.

The group is the subject of complaints from Allen Capuyan, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) chairman, during a meeting with local government and police units in Bukidnon last Dec. 12.

CIDG said the group is allegedly involved in the land-grabbing of ancestral domain tilled by Lumads in Barangays Imbayao and Buyot in Don Carlos.

Cinco and Cuesta are detained at the Talakag Municipal Police Station.

Two barangay chairman have been arrested for murder. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/19/23/coa-holds-ecija-mayor-accountable-for-p21-m-fire-damage

The Commission on Audit has held San Antonio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Arvin Salonga liable for the losses amounting to P21.99 million due to a fire that damaged their municipal building in 2013.

In a decision dated May 30, 2022 but released recently, the COA proper denied the request for relief from property accountability of Salonga due to late filing.

Salonga filed his request only on July 21, 2016, more than 3 years after the June 8, 2013 fire.

The commission cited Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code which mandates the filing of the notice of loss within 30 days from the occurrence of loss.

“He had 22 days left to file the notice of loss prior to the end of his term as mayor on June 30, 2013,” the COA proper said in the decision signed by Chairperson Rizalina Justol and Commissioners Roland Pondoc and Mario Lipana,

The commission also noted that police investigation stated that the fire could have been intentionally set off to conceal incriminating documents against Salonga whose term ended in 2013.

A criminal complaint for arson was filed by the Bureau of Fire Protection against Salonga but the complaint was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for lack of clear evidence.

“The sample ashes and debris collected from the fire scene yielded negative for the presence of any flammable substance,” the COA noted. 

For his part, Salonga submitted in 2016 a letter with affidavits of then municipal treasurer and two disinterested persons attesting to the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss. 

“He also stated that the old municipal building was not insured because it was built a long time ago and was renovated or rehabilitated by past administrations,” the COA noted.

For this,Salonga was also held accountable by the commission for his negligence to insure the property during his term.

“His failure to do so deprived the municipality of the value and use of the municipal building, such great financial loss on the government’s end,” the COA said. 

An ex-mayor of Nueva Ecija has been held liable for the damage done to his building by a fire because he did not file the correct papers on time nor did he even have the building insured. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193071

Two village councilors were arrested during the recent serving of search warrants for loose firearms in Rosario town, Agusan del Sur province, police officials said Thursday.

Maj. Jennifer Ometer, Police Regional Office-Caraga Region (PRO-13) information officer, said Councilors Diosdado Reyes Aresal Sr., 61, of Barangay Maligaya; and Salvador Sangalia Jr. of Barangay Tagbayagan were nabbed during the court-ordered search for suspected illegal gun holders in Rosario on Tuesday.

“The operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Agusan del Sur and the 1301st Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion implemented the search warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Bayugan City,” Ometer said.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, PRO-13 director, said the law enforcers first implemented the search warrant at the house of Aresal, where a 9mm pistol, improvised shotgun and various ammunition were recovered.

In Sangalia’s house, police found a .45-caliber pistol, ammunition and magazines.

The two were charged with violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Two village councilors have been arrested for possessing illegal weapons.