QC court fines ex-UP dean P5K for breach of conduct
September 7, 2017 | 9:08am
The Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 36, which promulgated the decision, however, only ordered Callanta to pay a fine of P5,000. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — A former dean of the College of Human Kinetics at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City was found guilty of breach of conduct for hiring the catering services of a business entity that he jointly owned with his wife.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Office of the Ombudsman said its state prosecutors have secured the conviction of former CHK dean Hercules Callanta for violation of Section 7 (a) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Section 7 (a) of RA 6713 prohibits a public official or employee from directly or indirectly having financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of his or her office.
The Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 36, which promulgated the decision, however, only ordered Callanta to pay a fine of P5,000.
Based on the ombudsman's investigation, Callanta, on May 26, 2007 engaged the services of The Lord's Inheritance Catering, a private business entity which he and his wife owned, to provide meals for a summer recreation program organized and sponsored by the CHK.
The ombudsman said the university paid a total of P6,300 for the catering services.
The court gave weight to a disbursement voucher bearing Callanta's signature that the prosecution presented as evidence.
“Without such signature, the disbursement voucher could not be processed for payment by the UP Diliman Accounting Office, and the May 26, 2007 transaction would not have been paid,” a portion of the court's ruling read.
The court gave no credence to Callanta's defense that that transaction was done in good faith.
The court said that while Callanta ensured that all the required documents and certifications were in order before he signed the disbursement voucher, “he cannot escape the fact that this transaction is prohibited under Section 7(a) of R.A. 6713”.
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