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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Police general convicted for illegally suspending a subordinate in 2011

Police general convicted for illegally suspending a subordinate in 2011

Published Mar 18, 2021 12:03 pm

The Sandiganbayan has convicted PBGen. Bienvenido G. Latag of graft for illegally issuing and implementing a preventive suspension order against a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2011.

Sandiganbayan
(MANILA BULLETIN)

Latag was sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to eight years with perpetual disqualification to hold public office for violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The anti-graft court ruled that only the courts can order the preventive suspension of a PNP member who is charged with a criminal complaint.

The court’s decision, written by Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda, was promulgated last March 12. It dismissed the case against Latag’s co-accused PCol. Jaime C. Pido on account of his death.

Latag and Pido, who were the Regional Director and Chief of the Regional Personnel and Human Resources Development Division (RPHRDD) of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), respectively, caused the 90-day preventive suspension of PLt. Romenick A. Linsangan on April 9, 2011.

The prosecution said Latag and Pido implemented the suspension based on the criminal charge for violation of Section 5(i) of R.A. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, filed against Linsangan that had been dismissed since April 4, 2011 as well as the administrative charge for grave misconduct that had been withdrawn since Feb. 15, 2011.

While the suspension was lifted on May 12, 2011, Linsangan remained on suspension up to July 6, 2011 even while he was on reassignment at the Basilan Provincial Police Office (BPPO) effective May 16, 2011.

Because of the continued suspension, the prosecution said Linsangan was not provided with any transportation allowance and he was eventually dropped from the PNP rolls for absence without leave (AWOL) effective July 1, 2011.

The Sandiganbayan said there was clearly bad faith in Pido's request and Latag's approval of the preventive suspension, because only the trial court can order the preventive suspension of a PNP member charged with a criminal offense.

It said that while Latag was indeed a "disciplinary authority" as regional director of PRO-ARMM and can place a member of the PNP facing administrative charges under preventive suspension, he had no authority to implement the same on the basis of criminal charges.

"Whether or not they knew about the prior dismissal of the criminal and administrative cases, the evidence is clear that Pido requested and Latag approved Linsangan's preventive suspension based on the criminal case filed in court knowing they lacked legal authority to do so," the court said.

It pointed out that Linsangan suffered undue injury in the form of salary, allowances, and benefits that he failed to receive during the period of his preventive suspension.

Associate Justices Sarah Jane T. Fernandez and Kevin Narce B. Vivero concurred in the 37-page decision.

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