QC councilor found guilty of falsifying SALN

An incumbent Quezon City councilor may face up to 25 years in prison after he was found guilty of falsifying his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

The QC Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 40 recently convicted Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica of falsification of public documents, including five counts of violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

A release from the Office of the Ombudsman said the court sentenced Ludovica, a councilor from the second district, to imprisonment of four months to two years for the falsification charge. The former chair of Barangay Batasan Hills also faces five years for each count of violating RA 6713 on top of a fine of P25,000.

In a decision released last month, the court said the councilor falsified his SALN in 2005 when he “deliberately” failed to disclose his business interests in the “Jessa Zaragoza Phenomenal Entertainment” company.

A certification from the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that Ludovica had been an incorporator, director and stockholder of the firm under the singer’s name since 1999.

Sought for comment, Ludovica maintained that he was not yet an elected official when he signed the SEC declaration with Zaragoza whom he described as a “personal friend.” He added that he had filed a motion for reconsideration.