Retards in the Government 308

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

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1762300/village-watchman-another-slain-in-separate-hacking-incidents-in-bicol

A village watchman and another person were killed in separate hacking incidents on Thursday in the Bicol region.

Lieutenant Colonel Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said in a report that while on a drinking spree, William Bumalay, 57, was hacked and stabbed around 5:30 p.m. by the suspect identified as Ronnie Peda, 40, in Barangay Basiad.

Bumalay died instantly due to multiple wounds.

The initial investigation showed that the police were considering personal grudge as a possible motive for the killing, Calubaquib said.

A village watchman has been slain in a hacking incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/1/sandigan-affirms-conviction-of-ex-cebu-town-treasurer

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of the former treasurer of Ronda town in Cebu as it also denied his motion for the inhibition of the justices who rendered the decision.

Affirmed was the guilty verdict imposed on Esperato A. Del Socorro in a decision handed down last Feb. 7.

Del Socorro was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment for his graft conviction with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. For his malversation conviction, he was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of P2,063,422.72. The anti-graft court also held him civilly liable for the amount of P2,063,422.72, which he should refund to the Bureau of Treasury.

In his motion for reconsideration, Del Socorro cited "reversible error" and prayed for his acquittal.  He also pleaded that “the Honorable Presiding Justices of the instant case" should "voluntarily inhibit themselves from acting upon the motion because of manifest bias and partiality."

But the Sandiganbayan’s sixth division ruled that it would be an "exercise in futility" should it grant the motion to inhibit with motion for reconsideration.

It stressed that there is no compelling reason or cause for them to voluntarily inhibit because of "unconscious bias."

"In fine, the prized ideal of 'the cold neutrality of an impartial judge' implicit in the due process guarantee had been met," the court said.

It also said that since Del Socorro's motion for reconsideration merely contained "warmed over arguments previously put forward and found to be unmeritorious, it would be an exercise in futility for the court to reiterate itself.”

The Sandiganbyan has upheld the conviction of a formrer town treasurer for graft. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/868647/manila-policeman-hits-traffic-enforcer-gets-arrested-by-navotas-cops/story/

A member of the Manila Police District was arrested by authorities in Navotas City after he allegedly hit a traffic enforcer who apprehended him.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras", the video of the Manila policeman being arrested by Navotas cops led by Navotas chief of police Police Col. Allan Umipig has already gone viral.

Police MSgt. Ramon Guina reportedly tried to flee after he was apprehended by Navotas traffic enforcer Mark Luzuriaga.

Guina was reportedly driving a tricycle without a franchise.

The chase ended with Guina reportedly punching Luzuriaga.

Guina was then arrested by Navotas policemen.

"'The leadership of the Manila Police District we do not tolerate our rank and file in the event that they make a mistake," said MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines.

A cop has been arrested for punching a traffic enforcer. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263348/2-police-generals-2-colonels-recommended-drug-raps

Four ranking police officials have been recommended to be removed from the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.

A five-member advisory panel headed by former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. recommended the acceptance of the courtesy resignations of the third-level officials, including two one-star generals and two colonels.

The four were among the 953 third-level officers evaluated by the panel after they submitted their courtesy resignations.

The panel cleared 917 of them, while it endorsed the suspension of President Marcos’ disposition on the 32 officers.

The STAR opted not to reveal the names of the officials as the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has yet to resolve the administrative cases filed against them.

Marcos, being the country’s Chief Executive, will have the final say on the matter.

The four had one thing in common: they were once assigned at the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

The panel endorsed the filing of administrative charges against the officials before the Napolcom for violation of the PNP’s rules and regulations against illegal drugs.

Drug charges have been recommended against four high ranking PNP officers who were sonce part of the PDEG.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/3/raps-files-vs-mayor-2-others-in-cebu-for-alleged-failure-to-stop-construction-of-illegal-structures

Charges have been filed against the mayor and two other officials of Badian town, Cebu province after they allegedly failed to stop the illegal construction of structures in one of the coastal barangays in the municipality.

 

Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on Tuesday, May 2, were Badian Mayor Carmencita Lumain, Engr. Vicente Jojie Nillas, head of the town’s Office of the Building Official, and Manolito Recopelacion, chief of the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office.

The charges were filed by Gilbert Yap, president of the Redwood Heritage Landholdings Corp., who asked the anti-graft court to investigate the three officials for “grave misconduct; inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of officials duties; refusal to perform official duty; conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code for prosecution of offenses; and negligence and tolerance.”

According to Yap’s legal counsel, Van Roe Asoque, the filing of charges stemmed from Lumain, Nillas, and Recopelacion’s alleged failure to enforce the order stopping the construction of illegal structures in Barangay Lambug.

 

In his complaint-affidavit, Yap said he bought a property in Lambug from one Cresencia Felomino and the sale was finalized after the Deed of Absolute Sale was executed and annotated in October 2021.

 

After the completion of the sale, Yap said he was surprised when the fence in the property that he bought was destroyed by some individuals.

 

Yap identified those behind the destruction of some property and illegally occupied the area as Rafael Chan, Cita Chan, Marcia Martelino, Ven Martelino, Nieva Martelino, Julian Sy, Maria Carmela Sy, and Lucio Rebajo, among others.

 

Security guards from the Eross Security Force Agency were deployed in the area to prohibit anyone from entering the property, Yap said.

 

Yap said he has filed charges for grave coercion and malicious mischief against these individuals.

He  said several structures were then built in the property which violated Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992) and Presidential Decree 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines).

 

In his letter to the mayor, Yap said the construction of structures violated the 40-easement rule.

 

Yap said Lumain issued a cease-and-desist order on Aug. 19, 2022 ordering Ven Martelino and Benjamin Martelino to stop the construction of structures in the area.

 

It was also found out during the investigation of the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office that the construction of the structures had no necessary permits, Yap said

 

However, despite the cease-and-desist order issued by Lumain, construction in the property continued, Yap said.

 

Yap said he repeatedly asked Lumain and Nillas to enforce the order but to no avail. This prompted Yap to sue Lumain, Nillas, and Recopelacion before the Ombudsman.

 

Yap said he believed that the three officials committed grave misconduct when they did not allegedly enforce the order to stop the construction.

Charges have been filed against the mayor and two other officials of Badian town, Cebu province after they allegedly failed to stop the illegal construction of structures in one of the coastal barangays in the municipality.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200696

Four erring cops were dismissed from service as part of the internal cleansing within the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13).

In a statement Wednesday, PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II said the four were part of the 15 police personnel who were penalized.

 

“We won’t allow a few bad apples among our ranks to spoil the image of our entire organization eclipsing the good deeds being done daily by the majority of police personnel,” Labra said.

 

Cops involved in crimes and illegal activities, he added, will be sanctioned accordingly following their constitutional right to due process.

 

Based on the PRO-13 Discipline, Law, and Order Section (DLOS) records, at least 38 police personnel are facing administrative cases, 34 of which were filed since Labra assumed his post as PRO-13 chief last year.

Fifteen of the 38 were penalized as of May 3, of which four were ordered dismissed from service, five were suspended, two were forfeited of their salary, and four were reprimanded.

Those dismissed from service were proven guilty of grave neglect of duty and grave misconduct, Labra said. 

Four cops have been dismissed from PRO-13 for undisclosed reasons. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/4/jealous-cop-fatally-shoots-woman-in-tacloban

A 44-year-old police officer gunned down a 30-year-old teacher due to alleged jealousy on Wednesday afternoon, May 3, in Barangay 43, Quarry District here.

Police identified the victim as Jessica Durana, 30, a resident of Barangay  42, this city.

Durana’s mother told police that she and her daughter were walking toward  the pathway in Barangay 43 when the suspect, Police Senior Master Sgt. Van Gregory Benitez, 44, assigned to the Tacloban City Police Office, suddenly appeared from behind and stood in front of them.

Benitez pointed a short firearm and fired several shots at the victim while uttering the word "Sorry, Jessica."

The suspect casually walked away to the exit of the pathway in Barangay 44 and disappeared.

Responding policemen found the victim lying on the pavement in the middle of the pathway with multiple bullet wounds in the body.

The victim's body was taken to the  Tacloban City Hospital after crime scene processing and was officially declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police have launched a thorough investigation and hot pursuit operation against the suspect.

A cop enraged by jealousy has shot dead a teacher. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1764703/bacolod-exec-sacked-over-alleged-irregularities-in-govt-fuel-use

A city government official was dismissed from service for allegedly availing himself of gasoline from the city for an unserviceable bulldozer nine times in October 2022.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez found Ramel Palalon, head of the city’s Department of Public Services (DPS), liable for nine counts of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty upon the recommendation of the City Legal Officer (CLO).

DPS driver Darwin Cardones was also found guilty of the same offenses, and was ordered suspended for six months.

CLO Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. on Tuesday, May 2, said Cardones was found to have signed the trip tickets of the bulldozer that he did not use.

“The driver was made to sign the trip tickets by his boss,” Ting said.

Cardones, he said, filed a motion for reconsideration for a lesser penalty so his suspension had not been enforced yet.

Palalon claimed that the gasoline was used for a bulldozer of IPM-Construction and Development Corp., the garbage hauler of Bacolod City, for road clearing operations, the investigation by the CLO showed.

However, an inquiry by the CLO showed that IPM did not use the city government gasoline for its bulldozer.

Palalon’ dismissal from service, which was implemented on April 27, may be appealed before the Civil Service Commission.

Ting said Palalon could no longer be allowed to work in the city government.

A Bacolod City government official has been let go for stealing gasoline. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200747

A male immigration officer will face an administrative case for supposedly facilitating the departure of a couple who are reportedly victims of trafficking in Myanmar, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, in a statement, said the officer has been removed from his post for his involvement in the case of the couple who worked as love scammers and arrived home on April 25 after escaping their employers.

Tansingco warned immigration personnel not to be involved in illegal cross-border activities.

"If you are innocent, I will defend you. But if I find out that you are involved, you will know the consequence of your action. I don't care who your backer is," he said.

According to the victims, they experienced physical abuse, threats, and starvation as consequences for not reaching their quota.

Both claimed that they were recruited via social media by a certain Maxesa and left the country in October 2022 purportedly for a four-day vacation in Singapore.

The two noted that from Singapore, they flew to Bangkok and were transported by armed men to Mae Sot City to eventually take a boat ride to Myanmar. After their successful escape, they sought assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Thailand.

A BI officer is being investigated for human trafficking.