Sanchez files raps anew vs Recto, 2 others

BATANGAS CITY — While cases of murder and frustrated murder are still pending against Vice Gov. Ricky Recto and six other respondents at the Batangas hall of justice, another administrative case was filed by Gov. Armand Sanchez against Recto and two of his staff.

Aside from Recto, respondents include Philip Piccio, chief of staff at the office of the vice governor, and Joseph Picart, an executive assistant of Recto.

The three respondents were criminally charged for nine counts of falsification of public and official documents and dishonesty before Director Marlene Galvez of the Public Assistance Bureau of the Ombudsman.

In a four-page complaint affidavit, Sanchez claimed that the three have intentionally falsified the work record of Piccio in his daily time record (DTR) nine times from April to May of this year.

Joseph Picart was included as a respondent for signing Piccio’s daily time record in behalf of Recto.

Sanchez, through his legal counsels, cited at least three events where Piccio allegedly intentionally falsified his daily time record.

Piccio is the acting president of the Parents Enabling Parents (PEP) Coalition, a group fighting for the rights of plan holders of an educational insurance company.

In April 26, 2006 daily time record, it appeared that he reported for work at the Batangas Capitol from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

However, in Sanchez’s affidavit, Piccio allegedly appeared before the office of Atty. Nestle Go at the Department of Justice to file cases against Pacific Plans Inc. Sanchez’s claim was supported by a newspaper report (Manila Times) on April 27.

Recto has denied any knowledge of the falsification of the daily time record.

"If ever I gave authority to Picart to sign in my behalf, I’m not aware of giving authority to sign Piccio’s DTR," he said. "However, I’ll have to wait for the charges before I could comment on the case further."

Recto also views the cases as "political harassment."