CEBU, Philippines - The USJ-R, which she said she graduated from, said they do not have the course she stated in her data sheet and that she does not exist in their records.
The Supreme Court (SC) en banc dismissed the clerk of court of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) in Sibonga, southern Cebu for falsification of public documents.
The case stemmed from a letter-complaint filed by an anonymous retired employee of the MTC - Sibonga.
The SC ordered Merlyn Manubag’s dismissal from service, with forfeiture of all retirement benefits except accrued leave credits, and with disqualification for re-employment in the government service.
The high court ruled agreed with the recommendation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) which found that the incorrect entries made by Manubag in her Personal Data Sheet (PDS) constituted dishonesty by misrepresentation and falsification of an official document.
“Every employee of the judiciary should be an example of integrity, uprightness and honesty. Like any public servant, he must exhibit the highest sense of honesty and integrity not only in the performance of his official duties but in his personal and private dealings with people, to preserve the court’s good name and standing,” the SC said.
The SC added that Manubag absolutely failed to meet the strict standards set for a court employee.
An undated letter-complaint sent by an anonymous retired employee charged Manubag with falsification of public documents, immorality and gambling during office hours.
The complainant alleged that Manubag submitted a fake diploma and falsified her school records to make it appear that she was a graduate of a four-year secretarial course when in fact, she only finished a two-year course.
The complainant added that the appointment of Manubag was approved because she was backed by the alleged live-in partner of a judge.
The complainant also added that Manubag did an immoral act when she was legally married to a certain Sergio Manubag, who had been giving her monthly support for their son. But Manubag was allegedly living with another man, who was registered as the father of her son.
Another allegation was that Manubag played mahjong during office hours at the residence of Angelic Ortiz in Poblacion, Sibonga every afternoon.
Manubag, in her comment, denied the charges of falsification of public documents, immorality and gambling.
As proof, Manubag submitted proof she qualified and passed a Career Service Professional examination given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) held in Cebu City. She explained that the CSC required the submission of all pertinent documents, including her school records, which all were scrutinized for authenticity.
Manubag also denied that she was living with a man who was not her husband. The man, she said, was just a family friend being a friend of her younger brother.
She also denied that she was into gambling. She said she could not possibly do this because the presiding judge where she worked as clerk of court was always in the office.
She admitted she plays mahjong at the house of Ortiz, but stressed this was only after their office work. She said that maybe the complainant saw her and presumed that she was there the entire afternoon.
Executive Judge Maximo Perez of the RTC made the investigation of Manubag. He found Manubag guilty of the administrative complaint of dishonesty, with a fine of P10,000. His investigation was submitted to the OCA for the evaluation.
OCA said Manubag denies having submitted a falsified diploma or school records to support his appointment as clerk of court of the MTC - Sibonga, but she did not deny possession of the falsified school records.
Manubag’s PDS dated May 12, 2008 reflected that she was a BSC graduate at the Colegio de San Jose Recoletos in 1984, contrary to the certification of Mr. Demetrio Quirante, the university registrar of San Jose Recoletos, that their office does not have the original record of Manubag.
Quirante said the transcript of records of Manubag states the date of graduation for summer 1984 was May 24, but the university said it was May 12. The school added they do not have the course Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in commerce.
The SC ruled that Manubag was guilty of falsification of public documents but did not give merit to the complaint of immorality and gambling because of lack of evidence. (FREEMAN)