Monica Tierra, the former chief of the General Services Division (GSD) of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) was convicted of violation of Section 3(d) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019). She was sentenced to imprisonment of six years by Branch 88 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City.
In a decision rendered by Presiding Judge Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya, it was found that from March to July 2004, Tierra unlawfully caused the hiring of her sister, Rosalinda Alvaro, as an employee of Philcare Manpower Services. Records show that PhilCare, a private janitorial service provider, had an existing contract with the hospital which “constituted pending official business with the PCMC, specially the GSD, which accused Tierra, headed as Chief.” In addition, representatives from Philcare also attested that Tierra recommended her sister for employment with the company.
The decision stated that “the accused miserably failed to adduce a credible story of non-culpability. Her alleged lack of knowledge of her sister’s employment with Philcare, a private enterprise under her supervision by reason of her position, is difficult to believe and cannot exonerate her from liability under the law.”
Tierra was also meted the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office and loss of all her retirement or gratuity benefits under the law upon finality of decision.
Section 3(d) of R.A. No. 3019 prohibits public officers from “accepting or having any member of his family accept employment in a private enterprise which has pending official business with him during the pendency thereof or within one year after his termination.” ###