Legal Issues in Philippine Education
Case No. 1
Sandigan throws out DepEd director case
THE anti-graft court Sandiganbayan dismissed the case of a former Department of Education (DepEd) regional director and a regional accountant because of lack of evidence and jurisdiction.The Sandiganbayan First Division scrapped the cases of former chief of DepEd Region IX Ibrahim Albar and regional accountant Edwin Romero.
Albar and Romero were charged of violating the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997 and the Home Development Mutual Fund Law (Pag-IBIG) of 1980 for allegedly withholding the GSIS and Pag-IBIG monthly contributions and loan amortizations of DepEd Basilan Schools Division employees, amounting to P51.59 million spanning October 2002 to June 2004.However, after a re-investigation the Office of the Ombudsman flip-flopped and “found no probable cause to hold accused Albar responsible for the charges.” The prosecution found out that it was Olivia San Pablo, chief accountant of the Accounting Division of DepEd-Central Office in Pasig City (Metro Manila), who “had claimed responsibility” for the remittance of all deductions made against the teachers.Lolificacion de Ramos confirmed the findings and said that starting October 2002, the Basilan Schools Division master list of deductions was sent to the DepEd-Cotabato City and not to Zamboanga City, where Albar holds office. “Considering, however, the positive showing that the responsibility for remitting these funds was lodged with the the DepEd-[Cotabato City] and not with DepEd-[Zamboanga City] . . . Albar could not be held responsible or such remittances,” the ruling read which said the dismissal was “only proper.” As for Romero, his case was dismissed because his salary grade was only at level 15. Sandiganbayan is hearing only cases where the principal accused has a salary grade of 27 and higher. Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz, Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos stood witness to the promulgation of the resolution
Sandigan throws out DepEd director case
THE anti-graft court Sandiganbayan dismissed the case of a former Department of Education (DepEd) regional director and a regional accountant because of lack of evidence and jurisdiction.The Sandiganbayan First Division scrapped the cases of former chief of DepEd Region IX Ibrahim Albar and regional accountant Edwin Romero.
Albar and Romero were charged of violating the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997 and the Home Development Mutual Fund Law (Pag-IBIG) of 1980 for allegedly withholding the GSIS and Pag-IBIG monthly contributions and loan amortizations of DepEd Basilan Schools Division employees, amounting to P51.59 million spanning October 2002 to June 2004.However, after a re-investigation the Office of the Ombudsman flip-flopped and “found no probable cause to hold accused Albar responsible for the charges.” The prosecution found out that it was Olivia San Pablo, chief accountant of the Accounting Division of DepEd-Central Office in Pasig City (Metro Manila), who “had claimed responsibility” for the remittance of all deductions made against the teachers.Lolificacion de Ramos confirmed the findings and said that starting October 2002, the Basilan Schools Division master list of deductions was sent to the DepEd-Cotabato City and not to Zamboanga City, where Albar holds office. “Considering, however, the positive showing that the responsibility for remitting these funds was lodged with the the DepEd-[Cotabato City] and not with DepEd-[Zamboanga City] . . . Albar could not be held responsible or such remittances,” the ruling read which said the dismissal was “only proper.” As for Romero, his case was dismissed because his salary grade was only at level 15. Sandiganbayan is hearing only cases where the principal accused has a salary grade of 27 and higher. Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz, Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos stood witness to the promulgation of the resolution