It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://www.inquirer.net/449046/raps-filed-vs-comelec-chair-over-tech-issues-in-may-polls/ |
A group composed of religious leaders and retired military personnel has filed a complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Erwin Garcia over an “unauthorized and illegal code switching” in the automated system used in the May 12 polls.
They also questioned the setup of an ”intermediary” data server that received and processed election results coming from the voting precincts before they could reach the accredited poll watchdogs and media groups.
The complaint, filed at the National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday, said the source code installed in the automated counting machine (ACMs) used during the elections was different from the one reviewed in the final Automated Election System (AES) Source Code Review report.
They said that based on the Final AES report issued on April 30, the ACMs were installed with software version 3.4.0. However, during the final testing and sealing of the ACMs later on May 6, version 3.5.0 was installed in the machines instead.
“No other entity other than the Commission has access to the ACMs or the Source Code for the May 12, 2025, National and Local Elections. Therefore, it could only be the Commission that can commit the switching of the software,” the complaint said.
In a chance interview on Thursday, Garcia said the Comelec had already answered the issues raised.
“We are not afraid and we are ready to present ourselves, give documents to whoever will be in charge of the investigation,” the Comelec chief said.
The complainants were composed of representatives of the groups under the Alayansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan and the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation.They include Bishops Colin Bagaforo, Gerry Alminaza, Efraim Tendero, Roberto Gaa, as well as retired generals Generoso Senga, Wilfredo Franco, Alejandro Camagay, and Eliseo Rio. Also joining them are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and former Comelec Commissioner Augusto Lagman.
Garcia maintained that software version 3.5.0 was the code used in the ACMs, and argued the Comelec had already received a certification from the Technical Evaluation Committee regarding the system and hardware that were used.
The complainants also alleged that the Comelec installed an “intermediary server” called Data Center 3, which received, consolidated and processed election results from precincts before they could be received by the media and election watchdogs.
They said Data Center 3 was created to house the transparency servers used by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), and the media, as well as the majority and minority servers.
“As a result of the unauthorized and illegal code switching and the installation of Data Center 3, only the Central Server of the Commission received transmissions from the ACMs upon the closing of the polling precincts,” the complainants said.
But Garcia explained that while Data Center 3 housed the servers, there was no such intermediary server. The PPCRV, as well as the minority and majority parties, have their own program that can “clean” the votes to show its “exact” number.
“There are already a lot of agencies, organizations, coalitions and many groups who said that the elections were organized and can be trusted, such as the European Union, Anfrel (Asian Network for Free Elections)… and our PPCRV: 99.999009 percent accuracy is what they’re saying,” he stressed.
The complainants accused the Comelec of violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Election Automation Law.
In all, they said, there were ”55 million” counts of system of interference committed by the Comelec, corresponding to the number of ”unlawfully” processed votes.
Any instance of vote tampering constitutes fraud and must be unequivocally condemned,” they said. ”This becomes all the more apparent and pressing when such tampering occurs on a national scale.”
A group composed of religious leaders and retired military personnel has filed a complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Erwin Garcia over an “unauthorized and illegal code switching” in the automated system used in the May 12 polls.
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft and falsification complaints against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones and others in connection with the P2.4 billion worth of outdated laptops procured for public school teachers in 2021.
In a 106-page resolution dated July 4, the Ombudsman said that the same charges should also be lodged against Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) chief Lloyd Christopher Lao, a private respondent, Froilan Domingo, and the following officials:
- DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Macam Sevilla
- DepEd Undersecretary Alain Del Bustamante Pascua
- DepEd Assistant Secretary Salvador Cacatian Malana III
- DepEd Director IV Abram Yap Chai Abanil
- DepEd Director IV Marcelo Bragado
- DepEd Undersecretary Alec Serquina Ladanga
- DepEd Supervising Administrative Officer Selwyn Carillo Briones
- PS-DBM Director IV and officer-in-charge Jasonmer Lagarto Uayan
- PS-DBM Procurement Management Officer IV Ulysses Evangelista Mora
- PS-DBM Procurement Management Officer I Marwan Amil
- PS-DBM Procurement Management Officer V Paul Armand Abando Estrada
The Ombudsman also ordered the filing of a perjury case against Lao, Secilla, and Uayan and dismissed the perjury charges against Pascua and Malana.
In 2022, the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the DepEd for buying P2.4 billion worth of reportedly “outdated and pricey” laptops for teachers, in line with the implementation of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the same year, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, which was headed by then former Senator Francis Tolentino, conducted an inquiry on the issue. The probe concluded on its fifth round of discussions.
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft and falsification complaints against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones and others in connection with the P2.4 billion worth of outdated laptops procured for public school teachers in 2021.
The president of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation in Argao town, southern Cebu province was arrested after fatally shooting his love rival inside a restobar on Friday night.
The suspect was identified as Mark Alphonsus Villamora and as president of the SK Federation, sits as an ex-officio member of the municipal council.The victim, Elmer Angelo Amarillo, died on the spot with multiple bullet wounds in the head and body.Police Major Janus Giangan, chief of the Argao Police Station, said love triangle was the motive of the crime.The two men were romantically linked to the same woman.Giangan said the suspect got the victim’s girlfriend pregnant.Though he was not the father of the child, Amarillo still opted to stay with the woman, irking the suspect.Giangan said the two men crossed paths in a resto bar past 11 p.m.The two got into a fight and at the height of the argument, the suspect drew a 9mm caliber pistol and shot the victim.The Argao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office took Amarillo to a hospital where he was declared dead.The suspect was arrested by responding police officers.At least nine spent shells for a 9mm caliber pistol were recovered in the crime scene.Police said Villamora has a License to Own and Possess Firearms but he did not have a permit to carry a firearm outside his residence.Police said a murder charge will be filed against the suspect detained at the Argao Police Station.
The president of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation in Argao town, southern Cebu province was arrested after fatally shooting his love rival inside a restobar on Friday night.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/07/13/2457698/davao-del-sur-policewoman-dies-accidental-gunfire |
A 28-year-old policewoman died after she accidentally shot herself with her service firearm inside the barracks of the Matanao Municipal Police Station in Davao del Sur.
Officials from the Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office and Police Regional Office 11 confirmed on Sunday, July 13, that Patrolwoman Kay Remando Dumasig was preparing for an anti-narcotics operation when the incident happened last Friday, July 11.
Initial reports from her superiors said Dumasig was preparing her gear when her 9mm Girsan pistol accidentally fell. She attempted to catch it, but the firearm discharged, fatally hitting her in the head.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Davao del Sur police director Col. Leo Ajero described Dumasig as a “hardworking and dedicated police officer,” and said the provincial police will assist in her burial and extend support to her family.
Another PNP officer has accidentally killed herself with her own firearm.
A barangay chairman was arrested on Sunday, July 13, after allegedly firing his gun during a clearing operation conducted by local authorities in Tondo, Manila.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), the incident occurred around 10 a.m. during a coordinated clearing effort aimed at removing illegal structures and obstructions along a major roadway in the barangay.
The operation was led by city personnel, accompanied by local police and barangay officials.
Tension reportedly escalated when the barangay chairman allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired several shots into the air in an apparent attempt to disperse the crowd and halt the ongoing clearing operation.
MPD personnel placed him under arrest.
No injuries were reported, but the incident caused panic among residents and disrupted the operation.
The barangay chairman is currently under police custody and faces multiple charges, including illegal discharge of a firearm and possible administrative complaints for misconduct in office.
A barangay chairman was arrested on Sunday, July 13, after allegedly firing his gun during a clearing operation conducted by local authorities in Tondo, Manila.
A police officer has undergone inquest proceedings for various complaints after he allegedly fired a gun and terrorized his neighbors in Lucena, Quezon Province last Saturday.
According to Mariz Umali’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, investigation showed that the suspect, identified as Patrolman Rodolfo Avila Madlang-awa, was drunk while buying ice from a sari-sari store. But he suddenly threatened and pointed a gun at the customers after him.
Madlang-awa, a cop based in the town of Lopez, can be seen in CCTV footage threatening someone inside the store: “Patayin kaya kita?” (Do you want me to kill you?)
His sibling turned him over to the police following the incident and is now detained at the Lucena Custodial Facility.
(He got drunk and was not able to control himself. This is really unforgivable as said by our Chief PNP, and this kind of policeman should no longer stay in service.)
Madlang-awa is facing complaints of grave threats, unjust vexation, slight physical injury, illegal discharge of firearms, and alarms and scandal, according to Lucena City Police chief Lt. Col. Dennis De Guzman.
He has been disarmed and will also face administrative charges, the report added.
(Our Chief PNP wants to subject him to summary dismissal proceeding to hasten his dismissal from the service.)
Madlang-awa declined to give a comment on the matter. Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the complainants.
A police officer who threatened his neighbor with a gun while drunk is facing charges.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2082077/admin-raps-filed-vs-cops-in-missing-sabungeros |
A whistleblower on Monday linked a retired police general and two active police colonels to the disappearance of 34 “sabungeros” (cockfighting aficionados) after filing complaints against 12 policemen for possible administrative liability.
Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, joined by relatives of the sabungeros, filed the complaints against 12 policemen at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) office.
The 12 were among 15 active, retired and dismissed policemen whom Patidongan had linked to the case of the cockfighting enthusiasts who he said were abducted and strangled to death before their bodies were dumped in Taal Lake in 2021 and 2022.
The 15 had been restricted to Camp Crame following Patidongan’s exposé on the case.
Napolcom did not release his complaint-affidavit, but Patidongan identified two of the 12 policemen in his complaint in an interview with reporters. The Inquirer, however, is withholding their identities until Napolcom releases Patidongan’s affidavit and once the police officials issue their official statements.
Pressed if there were other higher ranking officers involved in the case, Patidongan mentioned a retired police general in southern Luzon. The Inquirer is also withholding the name of this official.
“They were the individuals tasked to kill people during the war on drugs before. That’s it,” Patidongan told reporters at the Napolcom office.
Patidongan, alias “Totoy,” was referring to then President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drug suspects that led to his arrest and detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands, for crimes against humanity.
In television interviews, he had tagged gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and one “Engineer Salazar” as masterminds in the case. Ang had denied the allegations.
Of the retired general, Patidongan said: “[He] is an Alpha member [of Pitmaster Group]. He was one of the people who urged Mr. Atong Ang to have me killed. He said: ‘Boss, kill Dondon Patidongan so your problems will be solved.’”
“They have a monthly payment because they are an Alpha member. If someone is an Alpha member, that means they received P70 million, but since there are three in the group, maybe they shared it,” he added. He did not provide other details.
At press time on Monday, the Inquirer was still trying to reach the active police officials for comment. The retired police general did not respond to reporters’ requests for comment.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III had earlier said that of the 15 restricted to Camp Crame, 11 were active, one was retired, and three others were dismissed before the controversy broke out. He added that the highest ranked among them was a lieutenant colonel.
Rafael Vicente Calinisan, Napolcom vice chair, said he had yet to review Patidongan’s complaint. If ever administrative charges will be filed against the 12 respondents, it will be for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of an officer, he added.
Patidongan is among six security personnel of the Manila Arena cockpit charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of the sabungeros.
A whistleblower on Monday linked a retired police general and two active police colonels to the disappearance of 34 “sabungeros” (cockfighting aficionados) after filing complaints against 12 policemen for possible administrative liability.
State auditors questioned the decision of the Cebu City Government to appoint 92 consultants in 2024.
The Commission on Audit (COA), in its Annual Audit Report, revealed that consultancy contracts amounting to P19.8 million that the city government entered last year suffered from multiple procedural and documentary deficiencies, raising concerns on compliance with procurement laws.
City Hall engaged a total of 122 consultants across various departments, including the Office of the Mayor, Legislative Department, and the Cebu City Medical Hospital (CCMC).
However, upon review of the contracts, amounting to a total of P32.8 million, of which P7.7 million remains unpaid, the auditors uncovered lapses that could render the contracts questionable under the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act No. 9184).
Among the key findings auditors reported were the hiring of two consultants for roles unrelated to their professional background or expertise.
They also flagged the decision of the city government to appoint 14 consultants for ‘vague and generic responsibilities’ such as ‘planning and coordination.’ The city spent P3,896,621.85 for the hiring of these 14 consultants alone.
These functions, according to COA, could be performed by regular employees.
Furthermore, they pointed out that 12 more consultants apparently did not perform work that met the standards of “highly technical” or “policy-determining” services.
Another consultant’s task also overlapped with the City Protocol Office, leading to redundancy and unnecessary expense.
COA also questioned why 87 contracts, worth over P17.3 million, were signed after the services had already started, with P2.8 million paid despite the absence of legally binding agreements at the time.
“The timing of the contract signing is crucial for the contract’s effectivity as it marks the point at which the contract becomes legally binding,” auditors explained.
COA warned that such practices violate the principles of transparency, accountability, and proper documentation in government procurement.
Services rendered without perfected contracts may not legally obligate the city to pay, they explained.
The city government, in response, defended some decisions, citing the urgency of services.
Additionally, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) committed to streamline the hiring of consultants in the future.
They vowed to review the qualifications and terms of the cited contracts, seek clarifications from end-user departments, and possibly issue amendments or terminate unjustified consultancy engagements.
Nevertheless, COA reiterated that while the value of consultancy work is acknowledged, all engagements must strictly comply with procurement rules to protect public funds from irregularities.
State auditors questioned the decision of the Cebu City Government to appoint 92 consultants in 2024.
A drunken policeman faces criminal and administrative complaints after he was arrested for threatening persons and firing his service firearm in a sari-sari store in Lucena City, an incident caught on surveillance camera and went viral over the weekend.
The Police Regional Office-Calabarzon headed by Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky condemned the incident as it caused fear and danger to the people.
The policeman, with a rank of patrolman, was assigned to the Lopez Municipal Police Station and faces complaints of grave threats, unjust vexation, physical injury, illegal discharge of firearms, and administrative misconduct, including conduct unbecoming of a police officer, which could lead to dismissal from the service.
Investigation said the 30-year-old police officer went to a store to buy ice under the influence of liquor.
The policeman pointed his gun to a person inside the store and a teenager buying a cigarette.He also threatened his lover and hit her with a gun.
Residents pacified the suspect and was surrendered to authorities with the help of his brother, also a policeman.
Quezon police director Police Col. Romulo Albacea assured persons that the suspect will be held accountable.
Wanky commended the Lucena City Police Station for quickly arresting the suspect. The gun was recovered from the suspect. “I want to let everyone know that no one is above the law, regardless of rank or position," Wanky said.
Albacea said the suspect in the custody of the Lucena City police and assured that as the Quezon police director, he will be punished and dismissed from the service.
“This kind of behavior is not tolerated in the police organization. There is no room in the Quezon PPO for any uniformed personnel who would abuse the power entrusted to them. Anyone who violates it will be punished," Albacea added.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/15/sk-councilor-in-silay-city-shootings-charged-with-murder |
A 24-year-old Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councilor was charged with murder on Monday, July 14, four days after his alleged involvement in a random shooting spree that killed one person and wounded two others in Silay City, Negros Occidental on July 10.
Police Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, Silay police chief, said the complaint was filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office against RR, a resident of Barangay Canlusong, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.
Darroca said that cases of frustrated murder will also be filed against the suspect upon the release of the medical abstract of the two other victims.
RR surrendered to authorities through the help of his family on Friday night, July 11.
He was identified by the police as the driver of a motorcycle driven by his accomplice and gunman.
However, the gunman identified as 34-year-old Mark, a resident of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, was neutralized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Burgos, Cadiz City on July 11. He was tagged by police as a noted drug personality in the city.
The shooting incidents in Barangays Lantad and Rizal claimed the life of a 52-year-old electric bike (e-bike) driver, who passed away in a hospital two days after.
A security guard and an amusement park employee were wounded and recuperating in separate hospitals.
RR said that he had no idea about Mark’s plans and apologized for the incident.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2082661/supreme-court-sacks-court-sheriff-for-accepting-bribe-in-drug-case |
The Supreme Court has dismissed a court sheriff in Cavite province after finding him guilty of accepting a bribe in connection with a drug case.
In a per curiam decision dated July 9, the Supreme Court en banc ordered the dismissal of Dwight Aldwin Geronimo, Sheriff IV of the Imus City Regional Trial Court Branch 21, and revoked all his retirement benefits.
The high tribunal also permanently banned him from holding any position in government service.
A full copy of the decision has not yet been made public.
According to a news release from the Supreme Court Office of the Spokesperson on Wednesday, complainant Antolyn Dones Gonzales said Geronimo asked her for P200,000 in exchange for helping fast-track the drug case of her friend, Monib Saadoning Amatonding.
Geronimo allegedly promised that Monib would be granted bail, claiming that the judge handling the case was his aunt.
Gonzales initially paid Geronimo P115,000, with the remaining amount to be given after Monib’s case was settled. But when the bail was denied, Geronimo subsequently disappeared, blocked Gonzales on Facebook, and changed his phone number.Geronimo presented inconsistent defenses. First, he said the money was a personal loan, and then later, he alleged he was pretending to go along with Gonzales to expose alleged corruption in the court.
The Judicial Integrity Board found Geronimo guilty of gross misconduct and recommended his dismissal. The Supreme Court affirmed this ruling.
It cited Sections 1 and 2, Canon I of the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel, which indicate that court personnel should not use their position for personal gain and that they are not allowed to accept gifts that could influence their official actions.
“The SC stressed that court employees should never take money from litigants for any reason. Such actions are considered gross misconduct, defined as unlawful behavior or gross negligence by a public officer coupled with elements of corruption, or willful intent to violate the law or disregard established rules,” the SC Office of the Spokesperson said.
While Geronimo admitted to receiving money from Gonzales as a personal loan, the Supreme Court ruled that it still violated Section 2 of the Code of Conduct, as accepting money from someone with a pending case is prohibited, rendering his explanation irrelevant.
The Court also noted that message exchanges between the two, which Geronimo did not deny sending, supported the claim that the money was connected to a pending case.
Given the gravity of his actions and his previous record of misconduct, the high court imposed the ultimate penalty of dismissal.
It also reminded all court employees to serve as role models of responsibility, competence, and efficiency.
“They are expected to do their jobs with the highest level of care as officers of the court and agents of the law,” it said.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a court sheriff in Cavite province after finding him guilty of accepting a bribe in connection with a drug case.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cancelled the candidacy of President Roxas town, Capiz province Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” Escolin two weeks after his “fourth” term started.
The Comelec First Division said Escolin violated the three-term rule when he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) last October for the elections.
“He was fully aware that he had served three consecutive terms as mayor of President Roxas, Capiz, yet he nonetheless declared in his COC to run for the same position,” the Comelec First Division stated in a resolution dated July 14, 2025.
“This declaration constitutes a material misrepresentation, in clear violation of the three-term limit rule,” said Comelec First Division Presiding Commissioner Aimee Ferolino as well as Commissioners Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. and Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal in a 22-page decision.
The Comelec First Division issued the resolution to cancel Escolin’s COC after Comelec-Capiz proclaimed him as the winner and the subsequent start of his “fourth” term last June 30.In a Facebook live address, Escolin said he will file a motion for reconsideration.
Escolin has been claiming that he ran and won his “fourth” term because his nine-year term was interrupted when the Office of the Ombudsman suspended him for a period of three months from February to May 2024.
Under the Omnibus Election Code and the Local Government Code, local officials in a particular elective position are limited to three terms or nine consecutive years in office. They are not allowed to serve a fourth consecutive term.
A recently elected mayor has been suspended because he is not allowed to serve four terms.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/17/maguindanao-del-sur-town-engineer-shot-dead |
A massive manhunt is underway for assailants who ambushed and killed a municipal engineer, which also wounded another person here Wednesday night, police reported Thursday.
Engineer Shed Ariff Malang, municipal engineer of adjacent Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Maguindanao provincial hospital. The ambush occurred around 6:15 p.m. in Barangay Timbangan, Shariff Aguak.
Police Col. Sultan Salman Sapal, provincial police director, said Malang was driving a black pickup truck with three other passengers, heading to Shariff Aguak from Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, when the attack happened.
“Despite his injuries, Malang managed to drive the vehicle further until they reached a paramilitary detachment to seek help. Responding militiamen rushed them to a hospital,” Sapal said.
He added that one of Malang’s companions sustained injuries, while two others were unharmed.
The motive for the ambush remains unknown, and the identities of the attackers are still being determined
A municipal engineer was assassinated.
