Retards in the Government 419

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

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250604

A former Manila councilor charged with kidnapping for ransom has been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the agency said Thursday.

In a statement, the NBI said Roderick Valbuena was apprehended shortly after arriving from Las Vegas on May 20.

Valbuena is one of five accused in a kidnapping for ransom case filed before the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 61.

He was arrested by NBI - International Airport Investigation Division operatives under a warrant issued by the RTC and was processed at the NBI - National Capital Region in Manila.

He was turned over to the NBI detention facility in Muntinlupa City for custody.

A former Manila councilor charged with kidnapping for ransom has been arrested.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/22/sandigan-affirms-conviction-of-samar-town-assistant-treasurer

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of the assistant treasurer of Basey town in Samar for malversation of P1.76 million in public funds but it reduced the jail term imposed on her by the regional trial court (RTC).

Instead of the jail term ranging from 17 years to 20 years and one day imposed by the RTC on Assistant Treasurer Marieta C. Hernandez, the anti-graft court reduced the imprisonment to eights years and one day to 14 years and eight months.

Just like the ruling of the RTC, Hernandez was ordered to pay a fine of P1,766,640.33 and to restitute the government of the amount she misappropriated. She was also perpetually disqualified to hold public office.

Hernandez was designated officer-in-charge of the Basey municipal treasurer’s office on Jan. 26, 1996.

In her appeal, Hernandez told the Sandiganbayan that she was denied her right to speedy trial since the proceedings took 17 years and seven months before the decision was handed down.

She also claimed that the testimony used during trial was hearsay, and the Commission on Audit (COA) certifications on the missing funds are "hearsay documents" since these were not presented during trial.

In denying her appeal, the anti-graft court said: “Contrary to the claim of the accused-appellant, all the elements of the crime of malversation are present beyond reasonable doubt and the testimony of the witness is not hearsay evidence.”

On her argument that her right to speedy trial was violated, the court pointed out that the delays in the proceedings were largely attributable to the actions of the defense.

"Notably, in the instances where the trial was deferred due to the prosecution, there is no record indicating that Hernandez nor her counsel raised any objection. Hernandez's failure to timely assert the alleged violation of her right to a speedy trial amounted to a waiver of that right," the court also said.

The 11-page decision was written by Fourth Division Chairperson Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi with the concurrence of Associate Justices Lorifel L. Pashmina and J. Ermin Ernest Louie R. Miguel.

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of the assistant treasurer of Basey town in Samar for malversation of P1.76 million in public funds.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/05/27/2446034/barangay-chief-councilors-shot-dead-cavite

A barangay chairman and two of his councilors were killed by a former barangay watchman, who also shot himself dead, during a flag-raising ceremony in Barangay Salitran 3, Dasmariñas City, Cavite yesterday.

The victims were identified as barangay captain Raul Atarde Ballos, 56; and councilors Jose Lagones, 65, and Marvin Cañete, 54.

Sangguniang Kabataan secretary Christine Joseph Bonus was seriously wounded.

Probers identified the suspect as alias Ariel, 50, a former barangay tanod who was reported to have been absent for one week due to an illness.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were standing in line for the regular Monday morning flag-raising ceremony when Ariel approached from behind and opened fire.

Ariel shot himself after the incident. He was rushed to St. Paul Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

The chairman, councilors and youth secretary were rushed to various hospitals. Two of them were declared dead on arrival.

Police investigators are checking information that Ariel failed to report for work prior to the incident.

Probers are also verifying reports that the suspect went to the treasury section of the barangay hall to claim his P6,000 allowance.

However, the amount was allegedly not released, which reportedly irked Ariel.

A barangay chairman and two of his councilors were killed by a former barangay watchman, who also shot himself dead, during a flag-raising ceremony.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/26/poll-leader-for-naic-mayor-elect-shot-dead

A man who served as an election leader for the mayor-elect of Naic was shot dead on Saturday, May 24.

A report from the Police Regional Office 4A said the victim had just gotten out of his vehicle when a gunman approached and shot him.

Following the attack, the suspect rode pillion on a black scooter and fled, heading toward Trece Martires.

The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

His role as an election leader for Naic mayor-elect has sparked speculation that the crime was politically motivated.

However, Naic Municipal Police Station (MPS) stated that it is too early to conclude whether the killing was linked to the mid-term elections.

“Authorities strongly emphasize that, at present, it is not appropriate to link the incident to the recently concluded election process. The case is currently undergoing a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities to determine the true motive and any related factors,” Naic MPS said on a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, May 25.

“Until the investigation yields conclusive results, any attempt to associate the incident with the elections is considered speculative and may lead to the spread of misinformation among the public.”

The police are now looking for two suspects, including the gunman who was wearing a blue jacket, gray t-shirt, denim pants, and a white cap, according to CCTV footage from the crime scene.

A man who served as an election leader for the mayor-elect of Naic was shot dead.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/27/taguig-city-govt-employee-nabbed-in-drug-buy-bust

The police arrested an employee of the Taguig City government in a drug bust on May 26. 

The Taguig police identified the suspect as alias Erwin, 20, who is reportedly assigned at the Flood Management Office of Taguig. He was tagged by the police as a high value individual. 

He was arrested at about 8:40 p.m. in a buy-bust operation by the Taguig police’s Station Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay Rizal. 

Seized from the suspect were four plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing 104.7 grams valued at P711,960, a genuine P500 used as buy-bust money and six pieces of P1,000 boodle money. The seized evidence will be turned over to the SPD Forensic Unit for laboratory examination.

The police will file a complaint against the suspect for violation of Sections 5 (sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) with the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office. 

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Joseph Arguelles, acting district director of the Southern Police District, said, “This arrest is a testament to our continued commitment to eliminate illegal drugs from our communities. The Southern Police District will remain relentless in its operations to ensure public safety and hold offenders accountable. We will not let up in this fight.”

A government employee has been arrested for drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/27/cop-shoots-bizwoman-dead-in-davao-city

A 39-year-old businesswoman was shot dead by a police officer in Davao City on Sunday night, May 25.

Police said the victim was a resident of Barangay Angliongto, Davao City.

Investigation said witnesses heard two gunshots at around 11:35 p.m. from a black Mitsubishi pickup parked on Palma Gil St., Barangay 13-B.

A man wearing dark clothing, jeans, and a cap left the vehicle, followed by the wounded victim, who was taken by responding lawmen to a hospital in Davao City where she was declared dead on arrival.

The suspect was positively identified by witnesses as a member of the Davao City Police Office Police Station 15 (Ecoland) through photographs shown by responding officers.

Recovered from the crime scene were two fired cartridge cases and two fired bullets. These pieces of evidence are currently undergoing ballistic examination. 

Davao City lawmen swiftly launched a manhunt resulting in the suspect’s voluntary surrender at 5 a.m. in Digos City on Monday, May 26. 

The suspect, allegedly involved in an extramarital affair and had quarreled with the victim before the incident, was turned over to DCPO Police Station 1 (Santa Ana) for the filing of appropriate charges.

Davao City police chief Police Col. Hansel Marantan said they are conducting a thorough investigation of the case.

Marantan assured the public that all legal action will be pursued in accordance with established procedures.

He reminded DCPO to uphold the law, serve the public with integrity, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism.

A 39-year-old businesswoman was shot dead by a police officer in Davao City on Sunday night, May 25.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2064388/ncrpo-18-cops-face-raps-over-neglected-help-desks-phone-use-on-duty

A total of 18 police officers in Metro Manila are facing administrative cases for leaving their assistance desks unattended and using their cellphones while on duty.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin announced this in a press conference in Makati City on Wednesday.

Ten of the officers were among an initial 28 personnel investigated for neglecting their assistance desks after a surprise inspection by the NCRPO earlier this May.

“Of the 28 we had investigated, 10 of them will see their cases proceed. We are awaiting approval from Comelec (Commission on Elections) for their relief orders and reassignment,” Aberin said.

Section 9 of Comelec Resolution No. 11059 prohibits the transfer of assignments of any Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel during the election period, which ends on June 11.

The other 18 of the 28 officers initially investigated will not face an administrative case after “justifying” that their absence from their assistance desks was due to police response operations, Aberin detailed.

“Aside from that, we have eight other police officers with the ranks of corporal and patrolman, who will be charged for neglect of duty for using their cellphones during their duty as patrollers,” Aberin added.

The NCRPO chief did not provide a breakdown of the officers’ places of assignment.

Aberin said the crackdown on cops leaving their help desks unattended and using their phones on duty was part of a “red teaming” initiative by the regional police.

“Red teaming” is a process in the PNP to assess police readiness and see areas for improvement.

“We’ve tasked all districts to create red teams,” the NCRPO chief added.

A total of 18 police officers in Metro Manila are facing administrative cases for leaving their assistance desks unattended and using their cellphones while on duty.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250969

Police operatives in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat arrested a father and son on Tuesday, suspected of murdering a police officer in Barangay Kalawag II before dawn on the same day.

“The suspects were apprehended at past lunchtime Tuesday,” Lt. Col. Julius Malcontento, the Isulan police station chief, said in an interview on Wednesday.

Malcontento, who led the arresting team, said the suspects, both businessmen, were apprehended during a follow-up operation in Polomolok, South Cotabato, more than 10 hours after they allegedly shot dead Executive Master Sgt. Geoffrey Angub, 46, in Barangay Kalawag II.

Angub was a resident of Barangay Kalawag and was assigned to the Bagumbayan municipal police station.

Vincent Dalanon Sr., 54, and his 29-year-old namesake son surrendered to authorities in Barangay Sulit, Polomolok.

Malcontento said initial police findings indicated that the motive for the murder was a personal grudge, though he did not elaborate.

Both suspects are detained at the Isulan police detention facility, awaiting the formal filing of appropriate charges.

A father and son have been arrested for murdering a cop.