The Office of the Ombudsman has secured the conviction of two government employees for failure to file their sworn Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs). Jose Dimatulac, Customs Operations Officer III of the Bureau of Customs and former Kagawad Saturnino Guanga of Mandaluyong City, were found guilty of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
In separate cases, Dimatulac was found guilty of seven counts of violation of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713 for failing to file his SALNs from 2005 to 2011, while Guanga was found guilty of five counts for not filing his SALNs from 2009 to 2013.
The Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC-Branch 45) of Pasay City ordered Dimatulac to pay a total fine of P14,000.00 while the MTC (Branch 60) of Mandaluyong City ordered Guanga to pay a fine of P5,000.00.
During the course of their respective trials, Dimatulac and Guanga changed their “not guilty” plea to “guilty.”
Under Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713, all public officials and employees are required to annually file under oath, their SALN and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections and those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.
The SALN must be filed on or before 30 April of each year. ###