Retards in the Government 420

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

 

 https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/29/reelected-maguindanao-del-sur-town-dad-shot-dead

Police in Maguindanao del Sur, backed by soldiers, have launched a manhunt against two assailants who fatally shot a reelected town councilor in Datu Piang on Wednesday.

The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) said Councilor-elect Thong Mamasalanao Asim, 56, an agriculture businessman, sustained multiple bullet wounds and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital following the 3:45 p.m. attack.

“The gun attack occurred directly in front of the victim’s copra buy-and-sell business in Barangay Poblacion,” Police Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, PRO-BAR spokesperson, said.

Initial police investigation indicated that two men wearing black shirts and dark glasses arrived at Asim’s copra buying station.

They inquired about the prevailing buying price of copra before suddenly shooting Asim. The assailants fled the scene on a motorcycle.

The Datu Piang municipal government condemned the attack on Asim.

“Councilor Asim was a dedicated public servant whose commitment to the welfare of his constituents was unwavering,” Datu Piang Mayor Victor Samama said.

Asim was Samama’s party mate in the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in the May 12 midterm elections. He was reelected to his third and final term as municipal councilor.

The BJP-Maguindanao del Sur chapter also denounced the killing in a statement, characterizing it as "an attack not only on an individual but on the values of democracy, public service, and peace that we all strive to uphold.” 

A Maguindanao town councilor has been assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/29/sandiganbayan-affirms-conviction-of-ex-phlpost-teller

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a former teller of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) for malversation of public funds amounting to P614,742.92 from June 2013 to January 2017.

Affirmed was the decision of the Rizal regional trial court (RTC) which convicted Ma. Amparo E. Salvador, former Bayad Center Teller of PHLPost.

However, instead of the prison term ranging from five to eight years imposed by the RTC, the Sandiganbayan modified the imprisonment to two years, four months and one day to eight years and one day.

The anti-graft court also affirmed Salvador’s payment of fine of P614,742.92 and the restitution to PHLPost of the same amount.

In appealing the RTC’s decision, Salvador told the Sandiganbayan that the prosecution failed to establish that she had custody or control over the missing funds and that she was accountable for them.

Finding her appeal unmeritorious, the anti-graft court said it remains “unrebutted” that she failed to produce upon demand the missing funds or satisfactorily explain how the shortage occurred.

"After a thorough and judicious review of the records, this court finds that the lower court did not commit reversible error in taking cognizance of the instant case inasmuch as it has jurisdiction over the case; and that the lower court did not commit reversible error in convicting accused-appellant Salvador of malversation of public funds," the Sandiganbayan said. 

"Perforce, this court denies the appeal for lack of merit and thereby affirms the assailed decision of the lower court, with modifications only as to the penalty imposed upon accused-appellant Salvador," it ruled.

The 50-page decision was written by Associate Justice Georgina D. Hidalgo with the concurrence of Associate Justices Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta and Zaldy V. Trespeses.

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a former teller of the Philippine Postal Corporation for malversation of public funds amounting to P614,742.92 from June 2013 to January 2017.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/947845/sandiganbayan-finds-ruffy-biazon-guilty-of-graft/story/

The Sandiganbayan has found Muntinlupa mayor and former lawmaker Ruffy Biazon guilty of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of P1.95 million Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam.

As a result, the anti-graft court sentenced Biazon to six to 10 years in jail.

Sandiganbayan, however, cleared Biazon of malversation raps in the same pork barrel case.

Biazon, meanwhile, has said that he will appeal the ruling.

“Public service should not be derailed by noise or distraction. My commitment to Muntinlupeños stands firm—a city led with compassion, guided by vision, and focused on real solutions," Biazon said in a statement.

Biazon's camp also said that the Sandiganbayan verdict does not impact his current position as mayor.

"The governance will continue with the same integrity and resolve that has marked his leadership since day one. This is not the end—it’s the beginning of a renewed push for deeper, more inclusive public service,” Biazon's camp said.

Ruffy Biazon has been found guilty of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of P1.95 million Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam and faces six to 10 years in jail.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/30/ex-oriental-mindoro-lawmaker-convicted-in-p65-m-graft-cases

Former Oriental Mindoro congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles have been convicted of graft in the misuse of P6.5-million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of the then legislator in 2013.

Valencia and Napoles were found guilty of three counts of graft, while former Technology Resource Center (TRC) deputy director general Dennis L. Cunanan and group manager Maria Rosalinda M. Lacsamana were convicted of two counts each.

For each count, they were sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Napoles was also ordered to indemnify the government and return to the national treasury P1,800,000, P1,800,000, and P2,910,000 or a total of P6,510,000, representing the total amount wrongfully and illegally disbursed funds.

Former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) undersecretary for operations Mario L. Relempagos, budget officer Consuelo Lilian R. Espiritu, group manager Francisco B. Figura, and chief accountant Marivic V. Jover were acquitted on the ground of reasonable doubt.

On the other hand, Valencia, Cunanan, Lacsamana, Napoles, Relampagos, Espiritu, Figura, Jover, paralegal employee Victor Roman C. Cacal, National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) officer-in-charge of the Accounting Services Division Maria Ninez P. Guanizo, and director of Administrative and Finance Rhodora B. Mendoza were acquitted of the crime of malversation as defined under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

The cases against Antonio Y. Ortiz and Alan A. Javellana have been ordered archived pending their arrest.

Their criminal cases stemmed from the release of Valencia's P6.5 million PDAF to Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation (MAMFI), a non-government organization (NGO) owned by Napoles.

The NGO was chosen as "project partner" in the implementation of livelihood projects for the 1st District of Oriental Mindoro, which were funded by Valencia's PDAF.

In a decision dated May 30, the anti-graft court said that the combined acts of the accused -- Valencia, Cunanan, Lacsamana, and Napoles -- are indicative of a "conspiracy of silence and inaction."

Because of their respective positions and obligations under the law, the court said that their actions amounted to gross inexcusable negligence, and it was only through their individual participation that Valencia's PDAF funds were released.

"With the release of the PDAF fund to MAMFI that eventually ended up with Napoles, the government lost a total of P6,510,000 causing actual damage to the government for projects expended but not implemented," the anti-graft court ruled.

The 173-page decision was written by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta with the concurrence of Associate Justices Zaldy V. Trespeses and Georgina D. Hidalgo.

Former Oriental Mindoro congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles have been convicted of graft in the misuse of P6.5-million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of the then legislator in 2013.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/30/army-general-reprimanded-3-others-get-jail-time-over-businesswoman-models-killing-in-davao-city

A military court reprimanded a Philippine Army (PA) general and sentenced three other soldiers to prison for violating the Articles of War in connection with the killing of a Davao City-based businesswoman and model in 2022.

Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, former commander of the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, along with his former subordinates—Sergeant Delfin Sialsa, Corporal Adrian Cachero, and Private First Class Rolly Cabal—were found “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” of violating Article of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) by a special general court martial, according to the Philippine Army.

Durante received a reprimand as his penalty; Sialsa and Cachero were sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison; while Cabal received a prison term of four to six years.

Sialsa, Cachero, and Cabal were also dishonorably discharged from the service.

Meanwhile, Durante and his former deputy, Col. Michael Licyayo, were acquitted of violating Article of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman) due to “lack of evidence.”

Licyayo was also absolved of violation of Article of War 96.

Two former subordinates of Durante, Master Sergeant Ariel Ballesteros and Staff Sergeant Gilbert Plaza, were also cleared of violation of Article of War 97.

The Philippine Army did not elaborate on the ruling.

Durante, who rose to the ranks after becoming the head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, had been accused of being the mastermind in the killing of Ms. Yvonnete Chua Plaza. 

Plaza was gunned down by motorcycle-riding gunmen outside her home in Davao City in December 2022. 

Philippine National Police (PNP) investigators alleged that Durante and Plaza had an intimate relationship, and jealousy was considered as one of the possible motives behind the incident.

However, Durante denied the police’s allegations and said he was only friends with Plaza.

The Army said it acknowledged the decision rendered by the special general court martial involving Durante and his subordinates.

“The Philippine Army assures the public and the family of Ms. Yvonette Chua Plaza that justice has been pursued with full diligence and integrity,” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.

A military court reprimanded a Philippine Army (PA) general and sentenced three other soldiers to prison for violating the Articles of War in connection with the killing of a Davao City-based businesswoman and model in 2022.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/30/former-soldier-turned-calabarzons-most-wanted-for-murder-nabbed-in-antipolo

A 69-year-old senior citizen tagged as Calabarzon region's most wanted person for the crime of murder was finally caught by the police in Antipolo City on Thursday, May 29.

The suspect was identified as "Joel," a former soldier. He was arrested in Barangay San Jose after more than 10 years of hiding from the law.

Based on the police report, Joel was arrested by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued in 2014 by the Antipolo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for the crime of murder without recommended bail.

Police investigation showed that in December of 2013, the suspect shot and hacked his drinking buddy to death during their drinking session which led to the victim's immediate death. He did not revealed his reason for killing the victim.

After the incident, the court issued an arrest warrant against Joel where he hid and moved from place to place to evade the authorities.

Joel was placed under the custody of the CIDG-Rizal Custodial Facility for processing.

A former soldier has been arrested for murder. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/01/jail-officer-faces-administrative-charges-for-drug-use

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has initiated additional administrative charges against a jail officer who not only tested positive for drug use but also suspected to have ties to the illegal drugs trade here and province of Iloilo.

Jail Senior Insp. Juniven Rey Umadhay said the unnamed jail officer from Capiz province is facing an additional administrative charge of grave misconduct.

“This is on top of the serious administrative case for conduct unbecoming of a jail officer,” said Umadhay, chief of the Legal Service Section. 

The jail officer assigned to Dumangas town tested positive for illegal drug use last April.  

The drug test was ordered by BJMP-6 after a major drug suspect identified the unnamed jail officer to be the supplier of the P2.3-million worth of suspected shabu confiscated in Iloilo City. 

“We will not condone nor conceal any wrongdoing of our personnel,” said Jail Chief Supt. Simeon Dolojo Jr.  

“Instead, we will show to them and the public that the full brunt of the law will be imposed against these erring personnel, if the pieces of evidence warrant,” added Dolojo. 

A jail guard faces administrative charges after testing positive for drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/31/sandiganbayan-affirms-estafa-conviction-of-ex-bir-official

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official who demanded P125,000 in exchange for the transfer of a land title in 2005.

Veronica Santiago Carpio, former chief of the Taxpayers Service Division of Revenue District Office No. 38 of the BIR, was found guilty of estafa and sentenced to one year in prison by the Quezon City regional trial court (RTC). She was also ordered to pay P125,000 in damages to complainant Evangeline S. Magleo.

While Carpio’s prison term was affirmed, the anti-graft court modified the term for the payment of damages: “The amount P125,000 as actual damages is subject to legal interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum from the filing of the Information on Dec. 29, 2011 until June 30, 2013, and six percent from July 1, 2013 until finality of this Decision and until full satisfaction thereof."

Prosecutors said that Carpio made it appear that she has connections with the Registry of Deeds of Quezon City, and tried to convince the late Ofelia Salas and complainant Magleo that she is capable of facilitating the transfer of ownership of a Quezon City property and issuance of a new Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) in the name of Magleo in exchange for P125,000.

However, the transfer of title never materialized and the money was never returned to Magleo.

Carpio appealed the RTC decision as she told the anti-graft court that the P125,000 subject of the case was used for the transfer of title to Magleo. She also said the amount was insufficient to cover the taxes for registering the land sale and transferring the title to Magleo’s name.

While Carpio denied involvement in the transaction, the anti-graft court noted that the BIR official could not explain why her signature appeared on the acknowledgment receipt for the money.

"Denial is an intrinsically weak defense that must be buttressed with strong evidence of non-culpability to merit credibility," the anti-graft court said.

"Unless supported by clear and convincing evidence, denial cannot prevail over the positive declaration of a victim who, like in this case, in a natural and straightforward manner, convincingly testified on the circumstances surrounding the fraudulent representation made by appellant," it said.

"The accused-appellant's weak denial, coupled with inconsistent and incredulous statements, could not prevail over Magleo's positive testimony. Thus, the accused-appellant's conviction must be upheld," it ruled.

The 22-page decision was written by Associate Justice J. Ermin Ernest Louie R. Miguel with the concurrence of Fourth Division Chairperson and Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi and Associate Justice Lorifel L. Pahimna.

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official who demanded P125,000 in exchange for the transfer of a land title in 2005.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2066373/ex-abra-mayor-shot-dead-at-home-by-motorcyle-riding-suspects

The former mayor of Lagayan, Abra was shot dead in his home in Bangued town on Tuesday morning, according to a report from the Police Regional Office (PRO) of Cordillera.

The victim was former Lagayan mayor Jendricks Seares Luna.

He was sitting in a shed in front of his home in Barangay Dangdangla when the incident occurred at around 8:22 a.m. on June 3, the PRO Cordillera said.

“The suspects on board two motorcycles arrived and shot the victim multiple times, then escaped towards an unknown direction,” the police report detailed.

“The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body and was brought by his relatives to Seares Memorial Hospital for medical treatment, but was declared dead on arrival,” it added.

According to the PRO-Cordillera, there are four male suspects but they have yet to be identified.

Police are finding out the possible motive for the shooting.

Authorities launched a dragnet operation to catch the assailants.

A former mayor has been assassinated. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251442

A casual employee of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in Surigao del Norte, along with two other individuals, was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Taft, Surigao City on Tuesday.

In a report on Wednesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Caraga Region (PDEA-13) stated a total of 115 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of PHP782,000 were seized from the suspects during the operation.

“The buy-bust was successfully conducted thanks to valuable information shared by a concerned citizen, which directly led to the arrest of the suspects,” the agency said.

PDEA-13 withheld the names of the suspects but confirmed that they are now in their custody and are being processed for the formal filing of appropriate criminal charges.

“The operation initially targeted the sale of 50 grams of suspected shabu. Subsequent searches recovered seven more sachets containing approximately 35 grams, and an additional sachet with around 30 grams of suspected shabu,” the report indicated.

The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

A government employee has been busted for drugs.