Image from Eastern Police District
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, a former Cebu City police chief, personally caught then turned over a man to law enforcers for allegedly attempting to bribe her to approve a certain request, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Thursday.
NCRPO chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said suspect Ryan Patrick Nepomuceno, 44, entered the PCSO office in Mandaluyong City for a supposed appointment with Garma on Tuesday morning. Employees at the building allowed Nepomuceno to meet Garma after the suspect informed them about the appointment.
Police said the suspect handed over a document, which is a request addressed to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Benjamin Diokno, as well as a paper bag with P100,000 cash.
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Mandaluyong police chief Col. Hector Grijaldo Jr. said the suspect was seeking Garma’s approval relating to operations of a small-town lottery.
Garma immediately apprehended Nepumuceno and reported the bribery incident to Mandaluyong police, who arrested the suspect.
According to police, they are investigating the document which is questionable as it was not issued by the PCSO.
Sinas said Mandaluyong police filed charges for corruption of public officials and falsification of public documents against Nepomuceno before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office.