By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com) | Updated June 17, 2015 - 11:15am
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan sentenced a former Philippine consul general in Japan to eight years in prison for falsely claiming to be a graduate of a communication course at the University of the Philippines.
The anti-graft court also ordered Maria Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez to pay P5,000 fine for falsification of a public document in connection with the entry in her personal data sheet (PDS).
During the trial of the case, Ombudsman prosecutors showed Lopez's school records that she did not complete the required number of units to finish the degree of AB Broadcast Communication in 1970.
"The falsity of the statements made by the accused in her PDS, specifically her degree received is confirmed by the testimonies of competent UP school officials who attested to the fact that per school records, the accused did not graduate and her units cross-enrolled in Miriam College (formerly Maryknoll) were not credited," the tribunal said in a decision.
The court ruled that Lopez "took advantage of her official position when she filled up her PDS."
The magistrates added that the data sheet was filled for purpose of her promotion, giving her a "legal obligation to disclose the truth of the facts stated in the documents."
In 2013, the Ombudsman dismissed Lopez from government service after finding her administratively liable for dishonesty, misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.
Lopez began her career with the Department of Foreign Affairs as a Foreign Service Staff Employee I at the Philippine Consulate in New York City.
She then rose through the ranks and served as Foreign Service Officer IV, FSO III, FSO II, FSO I, Counselor and Chief of Mission II, CM I, Foreign Affairs assistant secretary and Philippine Consul General in Osaka, Japan.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=80258.0