Ex-Davao cop fails to submit SALN, is charged

State prosecutors have charged a retired Davao City policeman in the Sandiganbayan in connection with his alleged failure to disclose his wealth for the year 2010.

Retired Senior Supt. Ernesto Reyes Jr. was charged with one count of violation of Section 8(a) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for his alleged failure to submit his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for the year 2010.

In filing the charge, the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices cited a Feb. 28, 2012, certification issued by the Philippine National Police Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) regarding Reyes’ lack of a SALN on record.

Supt. Aniceto Partosa Jr., then the officer in charge of the PNP-DPRM’s storage section when he issued the certification, would be present as a prosecution witness.

For Reyes’ temporary liberty, prosecutors recommended that bail be set at P10,000. The case was raffled off to the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division.

The failure to file a SALN is punishable by a maximum of five-year imprisonment or a maximum fine of P5,000, as well as possible disqualification from public office. —VINCE F. NONATO