The Surallah, South Cotabato Regional Trial Court convicted a municipal engineer for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The DOJ Prosecutor successfully proved beyond reasonable doubt that the municipal engineer: (1) allowed an unauthorized downgrading of a Water Development Project despite the lack of clearance from the National Housing Authority, and (2) recommended the overpayment for said project for unrendered services.

Accordingly, the Court found that the municipal engineer’s acts as a public officer constitute manifest partiality, evident bad faith or inexcusable negligence which caused undue injury to the municipal government. For this violation, he was sentenced with the penalty of imprisonment for six years and one month.

Meanwhile, the Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court sentenced a security guard for violating Republic Act 7610, more commonly known as the Anti-Child Abuse Act.

The Dumaguete Office of the City Prosecutor was able to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the security guard committed child abuse when he accosted, interrogated and compelled a minor to pay ten 10 times the value of goods allegedly subject of a shoplifting activity. Said interrogation was done without the presence of the child’s parents contrary to the Rule on Juveniles in Conflict with the Law requiring that parents of the juvenile be notified of the apprehension. Thus, the security guard was sentenced with the penalty of imprisonment from four years and two months as minimum to six years and one day as the maximum.

These convictions are testament to the Department’s commitment to pursue and prosecute cases without discrimination and in accordance with the regular performance of duty.