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Ombudsman dismisses QC and airport officials
06 September 2012

The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed from the service four officials of Quezon City for different offenses.

In separate Decisions, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal from the service of Ramir Bautista, Darwin Orlina, and Paulo Jose Evasco, all Barangay Tanods of Barangay Quirino 3-A, Project 3, Quezon City; and Lani Palmani Castillo, Utility Worker II, Department of Engineering, Quezon City Hall.

In their complaint-affidavit, Pilar Habana and her son Carlo alleged that respondents and two unidentified companions “mauled and beat Carlo Habana in front of the latter’s house due to some misunderstanding.” Pilar was also injured when she tried to help her son. Complainants presented a copy of the police investigation report as well as copies of complainants’ medico-legal certificates. Criminal cases have also been filed against the respondents before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City.

The Decision stated that the respondents’ dismissal from the service is warranted as “the acts of the respondents constitute Grave Misconduct.xxx While in the performance of their duties, the respondents were the ones who attacked the complainants and in the process violated their sworn duty to maintain peace and order in the community.”

Aside from the penalty of dismissal from the service, they were meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility and retirement benefits and disqualification for reemployment in the government service.

On the other hand, Castillo was charged with Violation of Sec. 11 (b) of Republic Act No. 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act) for conniving with a certain Filip Valera in extorting money from Rosalyn Mercado and Dennie Burget to expedite the immediate issuance and release of business permits.

Section 11 (b) of RA 9485 states that “fixing and/or collusion with fixers in consideration of economic and/or other gain or advantage is a grave offense which the corresponding penalty of dismissal from the service and perpetual disqualification from public service.”

In their complaint before the Quezon City Hall Police Office (QCHPO), Mercado and Burget claimed that Castillo was introduced to them by Valera. They said Castillo demanded P10,000 for the speedy release of the permits, for which Mercado issued a Union Bank Check in the name of Castillo, which respondent encashed on the very next day. When Castillo demanded an additional P10,000, Mercado filed a complaint for estafa before the QCHPO, which referred the matter to the Ombudsman.

Castillo was ordered to file her counter-affidavit but failed to do so.

The Decision states that “based on the records of the case, there is no doubt that respondent Castillo committed the charge held against her.”

In another case, the Ombudsman dismissed from the service Leilani Pagdanganan, Senior Accountant B of the Manila International Airport (MIAA) for Violation of Sec. 7(d) of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees). The law prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, “any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their officials duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

In a sworn statement, Ma. Girlie Jose of Equine Power Trading Company alleged that Pagdanganan and MIAA Division Manager A Felisa Dizon acted as middlemen of a financier and conspired in demanding commission for helping secure a loan for Equine which had project transaction with MIAA.

She said Pagdanganan offered to find someone “who could finance and extend a loan on the condition that she (Pagdanganan) gets 5% commission while Dizon who is in charge of releasing checks gets P20,000.” She further claimed that on their first transaction, Pagdanganan handed to her P2,830,000 representing Jose’s loan with deduction of P150,000 representing Pagdanganan’s commission and P20,000 for Dizon.

In the Decision, the Ombudsman said “the existence of withdrawal slips bearing the name and signature of respondent Pagdanganan to have withdrawn hundreds of thousands, even a million from the account of Equine is a testament that indeed Pagdanganan has pecuniary transaction with Ms. Jose.”

However, for lack of substantial evidence, the complaint against respondent Dizon was dismissed.

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