Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the filing of graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) officials, namely: Postmaster General Hector Ronald Villanueva, Chief Executive Staff Juliana Dimalanta, and former Assistant Executive Secretary Antonio Corrado for violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). In addition, Corrado faces three counts of violation of Section 7(b) (2) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) in connection with his illegal appointment as PPC legal/management consultant.
The Ombudsman also affirmed the administrative liability of PPC officials, Gloria Miranda, Marietta Bertillo, Veneracion Tuason, Eden Gallevo, Evelyn Bañares and Olivia Panganiban for Simple Neglect of Duty and were ordered suspended without pay for three months.
The Joint Order narrated that from June 2007 to 2010, Corrado simultaneously held the positions of legal/management consultant to the Office of the Postmaster General and Assistant Executive Secretary in the Office of the President, and received from the PPC allowances, reimbursement for hotel/restaurant expenses and salaries in the total amount of P1,050,000.00.
In affirming the charges for the illegal appointment, the Joint Order emphasized that no office order authorizing Corrado’s detail at the PPC was issued by the Office of the President. Under Section 13 Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, “the President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold any other office or employment during their tenure,” noting that the “disqualification is absolute.”
In addition, the Administrative Code of 1987 provides that “no elective or appointive public officer or employee shall receive additional or double compensation unless authorized by law.”
The Joint Order also cited that the engagement of Corrado’s services did not comply with the requirements under Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act). ###