It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/19/cop-wife-pcg-member-yield-2-kilos-of-shabu |
Two kilos of suspected shabu valued at P13.6 million were recovered from a policeman and his wife and a member of the Philippine Coast Guard during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Boalan, Zamboanga City on Wednesday, September 18.
The suspects were identified as Seaman First Class Mohammad Abbas, 30, assigned to the Isabela City Coast Guard Station, and Police Staff Sgt. Siddih Alliudin Jr., 44, assigned to the Police Regional Office-9, and his wife Mardie.
Police considered Siddih and Abbas as high-value targets in the illegal drugs trade.
Also seized from the suspects were marked money and a vehicle.
The contraband was brought to the Regional Forensic Unit for examination while the suspects were taken to the Zamboanga City Police Office.
A cop and a member of the PCG have been busted for drugs.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233771 |
The Office of the Ombudsman suspended Tobias Fornier Mayor Ernesto Tajanlangit III for abuse of authority and conduct unbecoming of a public official effective immediately for six months.
The office of Tajanlangit received the suspension order signed by Office of the Ombudsman officer-in-charge Jose Balmeo Jr. dated Sept. 11, 2024, on Thursday.
“Pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act 6770, in relation to Section 9, Rule III of the Administrative Order Number 17, he (Tajanlangit) is preventively suspended without pay until the administrative adjudication of the case is terminated,” Balmeo stated in his order.
Tajanlangit, in a media interview, said his lawyer is now preparing an appeal.
“I voluntarily step down following the suspension order, but my lawyer is now studying my appeal or legal remedy,” he said on Thursday.
The suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Vice Mayor Jose Maria Fornier for abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a public official, grave misconduct, and violation of Republic Act 6713 for the physical injuries allegedly inflicted by the mayor.
Tajanlangit reportedly punched the vice-mayor in his face following a dispute on the distribution of family food packs to their El Niño-affected residents last April 29.
Fornier will be temporarily sitting as mayor of Tobias Fornier until Tajanlangit’s suspension order is lifted.
The mayor of Antique has been suspended for abuse of authority and conduct unbecoming of a public official effective immediately for six months.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233876 |
An incumbent village chief was gunned down Friday night by a still unidentified gunman in Barangay 5 San Silvestre, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, a report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Ilocos Norte said on Friday.
Jojo Bagay, married and a first-term chief of the village, was shot at about 6 p.m. while he was seated in the garage of his residence, according to witnesses.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead by the attending physician.
Police investigators are still determining the identity of the attacker and the possible motive of the killing.
A village chief has been assassinated.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233821 |
The Sandiganbayan has denied the appeal filed by a barangay treasurer and affirmed the Baguio regional trial court (RTC) in finding him guilty of four counts of malversation of public funds in connection to the cash prizes of a 2011 Sangguinan Kabataaan (SK) sportsfest.
In a 27-page decision written by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno dated September 17, the anti-graft court’s third division found Barangay Camp 7 treasurer Rommel Beltran guilty and affirmed a prison term of up to 10 years.
“He shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office,” the court said.
The amounts involved PHP11,300 representing the cash prizes for the winners in basketball, chess and billiards.
The supposed recipients of the cash prizes denied having received the same, as well as signing their names in the payroll used to make it appear that the sums had been correctly released.
The Court turned down Beltran’s claim that no malice or fraud can be imputed since there is no evidence that he put the public funds in his custody to his personal use.
The Sandiganbayan has denied the appeal filed by a barangay treasurer and affirmed the Baguio regional trial court in finding him guilty of four counts of malversation of public funds in connection to the cash prizes of a 2011 Sangguinan Kabataaan sportsfest.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/19/sandigan-affirms-conviction-of-nur-misuari-in-p77-2-m-graft-cases |
The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in two graft charges over the ghost purchase of information technology (IT) educational materials worth P77.26 million when he was governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 2001.
The anti-graft court denied the motions for reconsideration filed by Misuari, former Department of Education (DepEd)-ARMM director Leovigilda P. Cinches, accountant Alladin D. Usi, supply officer Sittie Aisa P. Usman, Commission on Audit-ARMM resident auditor Nader M. Macagaan, chief accountant Pangalian M. Maniri, and private individual Cristeta D. Ramirez of CPR Publishing.
In the anti-graft court's decision promulgated last May 24, Misuari and his co-accused were sentenced to six to eight years imprisonment for each graft conviction with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
However, the decision acquitted them of two malversation through falsification of public documents charges due to the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
They appealed their conviction by filing separate motions for reconsideration as they argued that the court's finding on the alleged "ghost" deliveries have not been established. Misuari even said in his motion that the non-delivery of items was based merely on "conjectures, speculations, and surmises."
Misuari also said that the photocopies presented by the prosecution during trials were of "dubious authenticity," and he claimed that his signature had been forged.
However, the Sandiganbayan denied their motions. "Contrary to the position taken by the herein accused, we reiterate that the prosecution was able to establish all these elements with moral certainty," it said.
"Prescinding from all the above-mentioned circumstances, we maintain that the prosecution has sufficiently established that the scheme designed and executed by the herein accused gave unwarranted benefits, advantage, and preference to accused Cristeta D. Ramirez, and caused undue injury to the government," it added.
The 24-page resolution was signed by Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justices Bernelito R. Fernandez and Ronald B. Moreno.
The criminal charges stemmed from the payments made to MBJ Learning Tools on Dec. 21, 2000 of P31 million and CPR Publishing on July 24, 2001 of P46.261 million for the supply of IT packages for public elementary and high schools in the province.
However, state prosecutors said that the IT packages were never delivered and the officials were accused of falsifying documents to make it appear otherwise.
The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in two graft charges over the ghost purchase of information technology educational materials worth P77.26 million when he was governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2001.
An incumbent village chief and his son were killed by gunmen riding in tandem in Barangay Lapting, San Juan, Ilocos Sur Monday night.
Police identified the victims as Bello Joseph Padua Valorozo, 52, and his son, Jomar, 24, both residents of Barangay Caronoan, San Juan town.
The San Juan Municipal Police Station reported that at around 7:10 p.m. on Monday, the victims were on board a Mitsubishi MV 100 van on their way home from a cockpit arena when they were shot by the still unidentified gunmen.
The older Valorozo was rushed to the Suero General Hospital in Cabugao, where he was declared dead on arrival.
His son was rushed to the Pira Hospital in Cabugao but was transferred to Northside Doctors Hospital in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, but died while undergoing treatment from multiple gunshot wounds.
A dragnet operation was conducted immediately after the incident and the police are still determining the motive of the crime.
A village chief and his son have been assassinated.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/24/boxing-judge-files-plunder-graft-cases-vs-mandaue-city-solon-husband |
An international boxing judge and radio personality on Tuesday, September 24, filed a string of criminal complaints, including plunder and graft, against a congresswoman and her husband in Mandaue City.
Edward Ligas asked the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas to investigate Mandaue City Rep. Emmarie Dolores “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon and her husband, Barangay Opao Captain Nixon “Jojo” Dizon for plunder, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, falsification of public documents, and falsification of their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“This is a classic case of graft and corruption, a crime of plunder. I am filing this as a taxpayer,” said Ligas.
Ligas accused the Dizon couple of illegally acquiring a 2,500-square meter lot that was part of the 186-hectare reclamation contract between the city government of Mandaue and a private developer.
He said the property in question was acquired for only P2 million after they were issued a deed of absolute sale on December 16, 1992, which was way below its actual valuation of P50 million.
Ligas said the property is currently worth P70 million, computed at P28,100 per square meter.
“Their actions constitute a violation of the plunder law, as they have unlawfully amassed wealth to the prejudice of the government, specifically the City of Mandaue, and its people,” Ligas said.
Ligas added that on May 28, 1992, the Mandaue Regional Trial Court Branch 28 named the city government as the owner of the reclamation project that was conveyed and assigned to the Mandaue Realty and Resources Corp. through a memorandum of agreement.
The Original Certificate of Title for 186 hectares of reclaimed lot was issued on March 1, 1993 to Mandaue City. But on January 15, 2003, Marreco became the owner of the lot that was sold to the Dizons.
The Dizons then registered lot 1-K-3-F-2 under their names which led to the issuance of TCT 55310.
The transfer of title was done after the Dizon couple presented to the Register of Deeds two documents – a deed of absolute sale dated December 16, 1992 and a confirmation dated December 19, 1996 as proof that the property was already sold to them, Ligas said.
But Ligas questioned why a 2002 subdivision survey and a TCT issued in 2003 were annotated in a 1996 document.
Ligas added that when the property was registered under their names, Ouano-Dizon was already working as a private secretary for her father, the late Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano.
She continued to serve as his private secretary until June 30, 2007.
Ligas alleged that the 1996 confirmation was falsified to make it appear that the transaction took place before she joined government service.
“Simply put, graft and corrupt practices include bribery, extortion, and nepotism, which are characterized by putting self-vested interests above the mandate of serving for public welfare, accompanied by secrecy and deception without regard of dire effect to the public,” Ligas said.
He also accused Ouano-Dizon of violating Sections 4(a) and 3(h) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for taking advantage of her relationship with then mayor Pedong Ouano, who was her grandfather and direct supervisor, when she acquired the government-owned lot.
Ligas also accused the couple of violating Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code by conniving to produce falsified documents to support their acquisition of a portion of the reclamation area.
“The respondents acted in concert and connivance with each other, in the commission of the crimes with clear criminal intent to conceal, falsify, and gain from the acts,” Ligas said.
Ligas alleged that Ouano-Dizon violated the SALN law for her failure to submit a true and detailed sworn statement of her assets and liabilities, source of income, personal expenses, and taxes paid in the preceding years.
“They connived to amass wealth with intent to defraud the city government of Mandaue that’s why we filed a plunder case,” Ligas said.
In a statement, the congresswoman insisted that the acquisition of the property was above-board, saying she was still a private citizen when the purchase was made.
“Krimen ba diay ang usa ka private citizen mopalit og yuta from a private developer? (Is it a crime for a private citizen to buy land from a private developer?),” Ouano-Dizon said.
Ouano-Dizon said she is ready to address the allegations raised once she receives a copy of the complaints.
As to the SALN Law that she allegedly violated, Ouano said it was the same issue that was raised in the past and was already dismissed.
Ouano-Dizon described the complaints as “harassment suits” as the election season is just around the corner.
Graft charges have been filed against a member of the house of Representatives and her husband over a land purchase 30 years ago.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234159 |
A dismissed employee of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) with mental issues faces possible criminal charges after being apprehended at the Department of Justice compound with an unlicensed firearm, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said Wednesday.
The man was apprehended along with another individual late Tuesday by police officers from the Manila Police District Station 5.
In an interview with reporters, Remulla said the suspect, who apparently knows a lot of persons in the DOJ, was also discovered to be a scammer.
"The person is obviously a mental case. He has mental issues. He knows a lot of persons here and he knows the system. He has been dismissed from the service before so he really has a problem. He carries a gun but has no license," he said.
"Yes, scammer, it's discovered as a scammer. But let's look where the case brings us. Because right now, he is only facing illegal possession charges," he added.
Officials did not release the name of the worker pending a final disposition by authorities, but officials confirmed he had been dismissed since March for loss of trust and confidence after working at the agency for seven months.
A dismissed BI employee has been busted for illegal gun possession.
The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of three counts of nepotism against suspended Mayor Michael Rama.
The anti-graft body found probable cause to indict Rama for three counts of nepotism or violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The case stemmed from a complaint that Rama allegedly hired his wife's two brothers as casual employees at the Cebu City Hall.
“Since the Certificates of Live Birth of Elmer and Gomer (Mandanat) show that they are siblings and younger brother of Marilou (Rama’s wife), it is therefore established that their appointments by respondents are prohibited nepotistic appointments,” the Ombudsman said in its 15-page resolution.
The Ombudsman said the suspended mayor’s explanation that he was “surreptitiously made to sign the plantilla of casual appointments for Elmer and Gomer” is “unsubstantiated.”“As discussed above, the plantilla of casual appointments indicating on their faces the full names of Elmer and Gomer, their position titles, and periods of employment, among others, obviously show that Elmer and Gomer's appointments were nepotistic,” the Ombudsman resolution further read.Jonel Saceda, who adopts a name “Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña” on Facebook, filed the complaint against the suspended mayor over the alleged nepotism, grave misconduct, and graft and corruption before the Ombudsman in Quezon City on January 24, 2023.
Rama, along with seven other city officials, including his city administrator and city assessor, is still serving a six-month preventive suspension until Oct. 9 over the alleged non-payment of salaries of several city hall employees.
Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is facing there counts of nepotism.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1987038/groups-mourn-killing-of-antimining-local-exec-pal-in-surigao |
Environmental groups have condemned the killing of a staunch antimining advocate and his companion in Surigao del Sur on Sunday.
Alberto Cuartero, village chair of Barangay Puyat in Carmen town, and Ronde Asis were shot dead by still unidentified assailants in the nearby municipality of Madrid.
The Madrid police called on people who may have witnessed the shooting in Barangay Linibunan to help investigators identify and track down the perpetrators.
Cuartero, who was in his late 40s, was one of the local voices protesting the wanton destruction of Carmen’s natural environment by mining operations.
Since Monday, the Philippine flag had been at half-staff at the Carmen local government center as a sign of mourning for Cuartero’s death.
“The local government unit of Carmen strongly condemns and deeply mourns the unjust death of Hon. Alberto O. Cuartero, Barangay Captain of Puyat,” the municipal government said in a statement.
“As government officials, serving the people is our top priority. However, it saddens us to realize that there are individuals who seek to hinder the plans aimed at the welfare and development of our community,” it added.
A barangay captain who is also an anti-mining advocate has been assassinated.
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