It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891325/jinggoy-estrada-acquitted-of-plunder-convicted-of-bribery |
Senator Jinggoy Estrada and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles have been acquitted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Friday, in connection with the infamous pork barrel scam.
But the anti-graft court division convicted Estrada of one count of direct bribery, and two counts of indirect bribery.
This plunder case against Estrada, Napoles, and others stemmed from the transfer of Estrada’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) owned by Napoles.
Estrada was charged with plunder for allegedly receiving kickbacks worth P55.79 million from Napoles due to the scheme.
Over the years, there has been a debate as to whether Estrada could be considered the “main plunderer” in the case. The Senator, however, asserted that the prosecution was not able to prove such allegations and failed to substantiate their case against him, as there are supposedly no pieces of evidence pointing to him as the “main plunderer” or the pork barrel scam’s mastermind.
The prosecution accused Estrada of accumulating ill-gotten wealth after he allegedly gained P55.79 million from the shady scheme aside from being “an active participant in the conspiracy to commit plunder.”
Eventually, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division allowed Estrada and Napoles to file a demurrer to evidence or seek outright dismissal of the cases against them. But these were denied in June 2019, as it was established that he gave approval to the transfer of his PDAF to Napoles’ NGOs.
Estrada is one of three senators who were charged for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. The two others were incumbent Senator Bong Revilla, who was acquitted in December 2018, and former Senate president and current Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, who is out on bail in consideration of his advanced age.
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada has been convicted of bribery in connection with the PDAF scam.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891413/calamba-city-village-exec-shot-dead |
A 65-year-old barangay councilman was gunned down early Friday, Jan. 19, by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Calamba City, Laguna province.
The Calamba City police identified the victim as Mario Castillo Cogay Jr. of Barangay Canlubang.
Initial reports said Cogay was drinking coffee on the balcony of his house when two men aboard a motorcycle arrived and, without provocation, repeatedly shot him in different parts of the body.
Investigators said the assailants fled after the incident.
The bloodied barangay official was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Citing witnesses, police said the motorcycle driver wore a black jacket, denim pants, and a silver helmet, while his back rider had a black crash helmet.
An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the killing.
A barangay councilman has been assassinated.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/894570/bi-lawyers-linked-to-visa-issuance-to-fake-companies-relieved/story/ |
Four immigration lawyers allegedly involved in the issuance of pre-arranged employment (9G) visas to fake corporations have been relieved, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced Thursday.A 9G visa is required for foreign nationals to work in the country.“Yes, they were relieved po doon sa position nila sa pag issue ng mga visa habang nag u-undergo po ng investigation,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.(They were relieved from their position in issuing visas while undergoing investigation.)“During the investigation po, pag may nakita talaga na sila ay may direct involvement doon sa hindi tamang pag i-issue ng mga visa na iyon ay sila po ay ire-rekomenda natin sa Department of Justice (DOJ) na makasuhan po at mabigyan ng appropriate sanctions ng DOJ,” she added.(Should they be found to have direct involvement in the issuance of the visas during the investigation, we will recommend complaints against them before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for appropriate sanctions.)Sandoval issued the remark days after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said that the BI legal department helped fake corporations get visas.
Four BI lawyers linked to issuing visas to fake corportaions have been relieved.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891728/pnp-dismisses-4-cops-linked-to-robbery-in-zamboanga |
Four police officers who were involved in a robbery last year were dismissed from the service.
Zamboanga Peninsula Police Director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding said the erring police officers were found guilty of grave misconduct and were removed from the police service effective January 12, 2024.
He identified them as Lt. Ariel Jolatoria, 43, Staff Master Sgt. Al-Najir Ynawat, 41, Staff Sgt. Edcel Nicolas, 42, and Pat. Ryan Apostol, 31.
“The Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) upholds its commitment to the highest standards of integrity, morality, and uprightness. Any misconduct or criminal behavior by police officers will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary actions, such as dismissal, will be taken to maintain public trust and ensure accountability,” Masauding said.
The four were charged with armed robbery, carting away some P2.1 million along with several mobile phones from the house of businessman Al-Ghabid Umabong Abdul in Barangay Tetuan last November 14, 2023.
Four cops involved in a robbery back in November, 2023 have finally been dismissed from service.
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| https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/24/ched-commissioner-darilag-suspended-for-90-days |
The Office of the President has ordered the suspension of Commissioner Aldrin Darilag of the Commission on Higher Education for allegedly committing grave misconduct, abuse of authority and neglect in the performance of duty.
In a statement, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said Darilag's preventive suspension is for 90 days.
CHED has also been instructed by the Office of the President to conduct a fact-finding investigation to determine the existence of a prima facie case to warrant the issuance of the formal charge against Darilag.
"CHED will look into the matter seriously and fairly. We are committed to President Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s directive and vision that only the best, brightest, and most ethical individuals should lead our government,” said De Vera.“This preventive suspension is imposed so that Commissioner Darilag cannot use his office and position to influence the investigation and due process can be observed in the process."
CHED commissioner has been suspended for 90 days following a complaint of grave misconduct and abuse of authority.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/23/2327876/6-pnp-officers-test-positive-drugs |
Six members of the Philippine National Police have tested positive for drugs, the PNP reported yesterday.
At a press briefing, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said five operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office and one from the PNP Region 8 tested positive for drugs.
“Confirmatory tests were done and the results were positive,” Acorda said.
Those who tested positive for drugs include a police senior master sergeant, a staff sergeant, three patrolmen and a chief master sergeant.
Acorda said the PNP would not tolerate any wrongdoing of police personnel, especially those involved in drugs.
“The proactive approach reflects the PNP’s commitment to maintaining a drug-free police force,” he said.
Six cops have tested positive for drugs.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/23/2327860/traffic-enforcer-gunned-down |
A male traffic enforcer was killed in an attack by an unidentied assailant in Bangued, Abra on Sunday night.
Geraldine Peralta was in a tricycle when he was killed in Sitio Kabildatan, Barangay Zone 7 at around 9 p.m.
The victim died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds.
A traffic enforcer has been assassinated.
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| https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/24/airport-policemen-who-passed-through-carousel-lane-suspended |
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) suspended two airport policemen who got involved in a confrontation with MMDA personnel after they were caught illegally passing through the EDSA Bus Carousel Lane on Sunday afternoon.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines ordered the immediate suspension of APO2 Raymond Anuran and APO1 Michael Lilis who were on an official mission.
“We cannot just tolerate this kind of abuses. It is embarrassing and this must stop,” Ines said in a statement.
The airport policemen were reportedly caught passing through the northbound lane of the EDSA Busway and were accosted by an MMDA traffic enforcer.
The driver refused to present his driver’s license. When the MMA enforcer tried to take a video of the driver, the man attempted to grab the phone, leading the scuffle.
Ines ordered the two relieved from their assignment and instructed Retired BGen. Manny Gonzales, the Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services, to personally handle the investigation.
Two airport policemen have been suspended for driving in the bus lane on EDSA.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/24/2328141/sc-upholds-homicide-raps-vs-4-cops |
The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld a resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman to charge only four of 21 police officers with homicide for the killing of Luis Bonifacio and his son Gabriel in a drug bust in 2016.
In a 22-page ruling dated Oct. 11, 2023 and released on Monday, the SC’s Third Division dismissed a petition by Bonifacio’s widow, Mary Ann Domingo, that sought to indict the 21 Caloocan police officers on two counts of murder.
The SC’s Third Division affirmed the order of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (OMB-MOLEO) finding probable cause to charge M/Sgt. Virgilio Cervantes and Cpls. Arnel de Guzman, Johnson Alacre and Artemio Saguros Jr. with two counts of homicide.
The ruling was written by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, with Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Samuel Gaerlan and Japar Dimaampao concurring.
The SC has upheld the homicide conviction of four cops.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/24/criminal-charges-filed-vs-ex-camarines-norte-town-mayor-for-misuse-of-p2-8-m-medicine-funds |
Criminal charges for graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents have been filed before the Sandiganbayan against former mayor Senandro M. Jalgalado of Capalonga town in Camarines Norte.
Jalgalado was indicted in the alleged misuse of P2.8 million that was intended for the purchase and distribution of medicines in 2012.
In the criminal complaints filed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Sylvester D. Alcazar, Jalgalado was indicted for failing to account and liquidate P2,819,994 worth of medicines.
The amount was a portion of the medicines purchased using the P14,500,000 priority development assistance fund (PDAF) allocated for residents.
Despite demands from the Commission on Audit (COA) to account for the said funds, the prosecution said that Jalgalado failed to do so.
At the same time, Jalgalado was accused of feloniously preparing "Letter-Requests" and "Acknowledgment Receipts" in relation to the distribution of medicines.
He reportedly made it appear that the barangay chairmen of barangays Mataque, Capalonga; Macolabo Island, Paracale; Bayabas, Labo; Pinya, Labo; Napaod, Labo; Malibago, Labo; Baay, Labo; San Antonio, Labo; Cabatuhan, Labo; Bagong Silang III, Labo; and Old Camp, Capalonga received the medicines even though the barangay leaders and their constituents never participated nor received the medicines.
Bail bonds for Jalgalado’s temporary liberty have been recommended at P90,000 for graft, P120,000 for malversation, and P24,000 for falsification.
A former mayor has been charged with graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1893566/barmm-parliament-employee-slain-in-gun-attack-in-cotabato-city |
Gunmen shot on Tuesday night the staff of a member of the interim Bangsamoro parliament along a busy street fronting a mall in this city.
Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr, city police director, identified the fatality as Sulaiman Macabangon, 50, of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Sur.
He is the staff of Member of Parliament Datu Romeo Sema.
Macabangon was on a family-owned Toyota Vios parked at the Gov. Gutierrez Avenue waiting for his wife to come out from Citi Mall when attacked around 6:30 p.m., Manalang said.
Citing initial reports, Manalang said two men riding on a motorbike shot Macabangon at close range.
Responding police rushed the victim to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police found empty shells for a 9mm pistol at the crime scene.
A BARMM parliament employee has been assassinated.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/23/2327960/another-maguindanao-del-sur-school-official-perish-ambush |
Gunmen along a highway shot dead a school principal in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday afternoon, the second education official in the same town killed in an ambush in just two months.
Mamadatu Dalandas, principal of Datu Tecson Elementary School in Sultan sa Barongis, was riding his motorcycle when he was attacked by armed men positioned at one side of the highway in Barangay Manungkaling in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur while on his way to the center of the municipality.
In a report to Bangsamoro regional police director Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza on Tuesday, Lt. Lou Christian Villones, chief of the Mamasapano municipal police, said that Dalandas died on the spot from gunshot wounds.
His killers managed to escape before responding barangay tanods in Manungkaling had reached the scene.
An elementary school teacher in the BARMM has been assassinated.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/24/2328132/soldier-probed-abusing-helper |
A member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is under investigation for allegedly physically abusing her house helper.
The soldier, with the rank of master sergeant, has reportedly been maltreating her housemaid, a 20-year-old woman, who was rescued by her relatives at the suspect’s residence along Pastolero street in Barangay Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.
The victim recounted to police investigators the last time she was abused by the soldier was last Jan. 15 at around noon when the suspect poured boiling water on her right foot.
She said the suspect maltreated her on several occasions since she was hired as a housemaid in May 2020.
In all the instances she was physically abused, the victim said the suspect barred her from seeking medical treatment for her injuries.
The victim underwent a medicolegal examination in a hospital and then reported her ordeal to the police.
The suspect faces charges of physical injuries.
A member of the AFP is being investigated for abusing her helper.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1893093/dismissal-case-starts-vs-34-cops-linked-to-illegal-detention-of-4-chinese |
Thirty-four police officers who allegedly committed irregularities for unlawfully arresting and detaining four Chinese nationals in Paranaque City in September last year are undergoing summary dismissal proceedings, a police official revealed on Tuesday.
During the House of Representatives public order and safety committee hearing on the case, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reported that 44 personnel from the Southern Police District – Detective and Special Operations Unit (SPD-DSOU) and Parañaque police were directly linked to the operation.
Initially, he said, “35 personnel were recommended for summary dismissal proceedings, while nine were not charged with administrative cases for lack of probable cause.”
Of the 35, Nartatez said 34 respondents face summary dismissal proceedings.
Two of those facing summary dismissal proceedings are also undergoing administrative disciplinary proceedings, pending the issuance of Presidential Clearance under the National Police Commission 2016-002, he added.
Dismissal proceedings against 34 cops who illegally detained 4 Chinese nationals have begun.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1892432/village-watchman-slain-in-gun-attack-in-bulacan-2-assailants-killed |
A village watchman in the City of Meycauayan in this province was killed while a resident there was wounded after armed men attacked the village hall on Jan. 20.
In a belated report on Monday, Jan. 22, Colonel Jordan Santiago, Meycauayan police chief, identified the slain watchman as Rodolfo Santiago, 63, of Barangay Bahay Pare, who suffered bullet wounds during the attack.
The police said the two armed men strafed the village hall at 8:12 p.m., hitting Rodolfo and a bystander.
The gun attack could have been carried out by the culprits after their companions were arrested for illegal drug trade in the locality, investigators said.
Bulacan Police Director Colonel Relly Arnedo said members of the Meycauayan police immediately responded and engaged the assailants in a gunfight.
After the armed encounter, the two culprits were also killed. They were later identified as Andy Bernardo, 40, and Jerome Ballares, 30, both from Caloocan City.
Policemen recovered two.45-caliber firearms and magazines owned by the slain assailants.
A village watchman was killed after two men attacked the village hall.
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