Millionaires club has new member; Top fiscal has resto interest

Cebu continues to be home to millionaire prosecutors, with 10 of 21 state fiscals registering more than P2 million in assets.

The Ombudsman-Visayas released the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of 47 active prosecutors in Cebu province.

They were led by Asst. Provincial Prosecutor Ferdinand Collantes who has P80.50 million in assets as of December last year.

A far second was Asst. Provincial Prosecutor Manuel Degollacion, who still came in with a respectable P17.46 million followed by Acting Provincial Prosecutor England Joseph Berciles with P12.43 million.

Asst. City Prosecutor Ernesto Narido Jr. declared the lowest net worth at P70,000.

The net worth or actual wealth is the official’s total asset, minus his total liabilities.

The SALNs didn’t indicate whether or not they acquired their wealth following their appointment to the prosecution service.

Restaurant biz

In his SALN, Collantes declared three real properties worth P80 million, furniture and appliances worth P400,000 and jewelries worth P100,000. He has no liabilities.

Collantes is connected with Felisa’s Cafe and Restaurant in Tacloban City.

He didn’t mention his participation in the business. He has no relative working in the government.

Degollacion’s sole liability came from a bank loan worth P12,000. Berciles, who currently heads the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors Office in lieu of Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba who is on a study leave, has real properties worth P591,500.

These include four residential lots, a commercial lot and agricultural lot. Berciles also declared two Honda CRV vehicles worth P1.4 million; jewelry, appliances and other personal belongings worth P1.9 million.

His investments amounted to P2.83 million while his contributions to the Provident and Housing Funds amounted to P7.15 million.

Bercilles’ liabilities come from provident fund loans worth P430,928.37; accounts payable at P100,026.82 and a car loan worth P99,646.24.

Public officials are required to submit their SALNs under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Monitoring wealth, lifestyle

RA 3019 also includes the net worth of the spouses of public officials as well as unmarried children under 18 years of age who are living in their households.

In an interview, Asst. Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said government officials and employees who fail to submit their annual SALN or stated false items in the documents will face charges.

Santiago said the submission of SALN allows the anti-graft office to monitor an official’s actual wealth and determine whether his or her lifestyle doesn’t exceed his income.

She said an unexplained increase in wealth or an extravagant lifestyle in relation to his or her declared assets can invite an investigation.

Completing the top 10 richest state lawyers are Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Rogelio del Prado Jr. with a total net worth of P10.9 million, followed by Cebu City Assistant Prosecutors Ricky Jones Macabaya (P10.45 million).

Mary Ann Castro comes in sixth at P5.60 million followed by Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas with P5.53 million, Alexander Acosta with P4.76 million, Ruso Zaragoza with P3.23 million and Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Marlon Atillo at P3.10 million.

Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon has a net worth of P683,000.

Justified

In a phone interview, Sellon said he has no problem not being among the “millionaire fiscals.”

“It’s alright if I’m not a millionaire. I can’t do anything if what I have achieved does not bring me millions,” Sellon told Cebu Daily News.

When asked whether or not he is contented with his salary and allowances, Sellon said “our salaries are enough to support us.”

“It all depends on one’s lifestyle,” he said. For her part, Asst. City Prosecutor Castro said being a millionaire may have something to do with “inheritance.”

Despite the number of millionaire prosecutors, Castro said there is still a need to increase the salaries and allowances, not just of prosecutors, but all the laborers and government employees.

“Dapat naay increase sa tanan. (There should be an increase in salaries and wages for all),” Castro told Cebu Daily News.

She said an increase in salaries and allowances is but justified especially with the high prices of basic commodities.

Castro said salaries and allowances are just compensations for services made.

The prosecutor has been suspended for three months without pay after she was found guilty of misconduct for filing two annulment cases before two courts.

Stipend

A prosecutor has a basic salary ranging from P40,000 to P60,000 depending on his rank or length of service.

All 26 city prosecutors also receive a P10,000 monthly stipend from the Cebu City government.

Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon, being the head of office, receives P12,000 from the city.

Over 20 prosecutors in the province also receive the same amount from the Capitol.

The amount is on top of the “special” quarterly allowance they get from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that ranges from P10,000 to P15,000.

The SALN of Asst. City Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan and regional state prosecutors have yet to be released.

All SALN filed with the Ombudsman shall be available to the public for examination and inspection during reasonable working hours of working days and within the view of the custodian officer, Santiago said.

Those wishing to secure copies of the SALN shall fill in a form made by the anti-graft office.

The name, address and phone numbers of the requesting party should be properly indicated along with the purpose of the request.