SC affirms dismissal of Ombudsman exec for fixing cases

SC affirms dismissal of Ombudsman exec for fixing cases

By: - Reporter / @luisacabatoINQ
/ 07:43 PM August 07, 2024

AFFIRMED The high tribunal sided with the Commission on Audit, which said in 2011 the gratuity benefits were unnecessary and excessive as the firm had been incurring losses. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Philippine Supreme Court — INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the dismissal of an official of the Office of the Ombudsman for fixing cases, it said on Wednesday.

“In a Decision penned by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, the Court’s Third Division upheld the rulings of the Court of Appeals and the Ombudsman finding Rolando B. Zoleta administratively liable for Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service,” the SC Public Information Office said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Padilla seeks SC oral argument on joint vs separate Cha-cha votes

FEATURED STORIES

Zoleta was the assistant ombudsman for Luzon before he was assigned to the Appeals Bureau of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

In 2017, the Internal Affairs Board-Investigating Staff filed a complaint against Zoleta, accusing him of offering to help dismiss cases against high-ranking officials under investigation by the Ombudsman.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The Ombudsman found Zoleta administratively liable and ordered his dismissal from government service. The Court of Appeals affirmed the Ombudsman, prompting Zoleta to file the present petition for review on certiorari,” the High Court said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“In denying the petition, the Court found that the evidence sufficiently proved that Zoleta engaged in corrupt acts,” it added.

Article continues after this advertisement

The SC noted that Zoleta could influence cases because he handled trial and appellate work at the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

He also served in the Commission on Audit-Ombudsman joint investigation team.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: San Beda Alabang to serve as national HQ for 2024 Bar Exams

Moreover, the SC said verified text messages between Zoleta and a Leonardo Nicolas, Jr. show that the former demanded and received money in exchange for fixing cases.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Copies of documents “likewise reflected the actual cases they have purportedly ‘fixed’ for monetary considerations,” it added.

TAGS: Office of the Ombudsman, Supreme Court

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.