“A person's desire to hold public office should not be based on selfish ambitions to enrich oneself at the expense of the government; worse, of the public,” the Supreme Court (SC) said.

The SC’s reminder is, in effect, addressed to all candidates vying for government posts in the May 12 elections and to those, whether elected or appointed, are still incumbent in their positions.  

It pointed out: “A public post is not and should not be looked at as a lucrative business, where the primordial mission is to make oneself abundant and gain advantages for his or her own comfort and satisfaction.”

“To be a public official is a privilege granted only to those who have met the required high standards of qualifications,” as the SC reiterated its previous declaration that “only those who can live up to such exacting standard deserve the honor of continuing in public service."

It lamented: “Sadly, the presence of corrupt public officials who continuously cling like a leech on their seats in public office is a complete and utter travesty. There are undeserving public servants who utterly defied their oath and violated their duty not only to the Constitution but also to the public.”

The SC’s reminder, exhortation, and lamentation were contained in a decision that affirmed the conviction of former Dapitan City mayor Joseph Cedrick O. Ruiz for corruption and misuse of almost P1 million in confidential and intelligence funds.

The decision, written by Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, upheld the Sandiganbayan’s ruling that found Ruiz guilty of graft and malversation of public funds.

                  Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando

In a summary of the decision, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said that Ruiz served as city mayor from 1998 to 2001 and weeks before the end of his term, he ordered Deputy Chief of Police Pepe Nortal to request a cash advance of P1 million, representing the city’s entire 2001 confidential funds supposedly for post-election violence. 

Despite objections from the city’s finance officers, Ruiz approved the request and signed the disbursement documents. Nortal encashed the check and turned the money over to Ruiz who gave the former P50,000 for police operations. Ruiz failed to account for the rest of the funds.

Nortal filed a complaint against Ruiz before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).

In his defense when the case was filed before the Sandiganbayan, Ruiz denied receiving the money and claimed it was Nortal who was responsible for the request of the funds.

In its April 29, 2013 decision, the Sandiganbayan found Ruiz guilty of graft and sentenced him to a prison term ranging from six years and one month to eight years, and malversation of public funds with imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 18 years and one day. 

He was also ordered to pay a fine of P950,000 and perpetually banned from holding public office. He appealed his conviction before the SC.

Affirming with modification the Sandiganbayan’s decision, the SC said:

“While corruption is deeply entrenched in our society as a harsh reality and unacceptable practice, which some may have already consciously or unconsciously accepted, the Court is confident that We, as a society, can eradicate this pervasive problem. 

“Though it will be an arduous battle, where a long, tedious, and challenging path must be traversed and the probability of winning is low, the public must know this. The Court, together with the other government agencies, will never yield to those dishonorable men and women who take pride in calling themselves public servants and yet have nothing to offer to the public but false hopes and promises. 

“For the respect and confidence of the public in the government can only be regained if those in the public office serve the highest degree of responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency and act in accordance with the tenets of the Constitution. 

“For these reasons, the Petition for Review on Certiorari is denied. The Sandiganbayan's April 29, 2013 Decision and Aug. 28, 2013 Resolution in Criminal Case Nos. 27467-27468 are affirmed with modifications.

“Petitioner Joseph Cedrick 0. Ruiz is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, and is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of six years and one day, as minimum, to eight years, as maximum, with perpetual disqualification to hold any position in public office.

“Petitioner Joseph Cedrick 0. Ruiz is also found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Malversation of Public Funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code and is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of six years of prision correccional in its maximum period, as minimum, to eight years and eight months of prision mayor in its medium period, as maximum, and the accessory penalty of perpetual special disqualification to hold any position in public office. 

“Petitioner is likewise ordered to pay a fine of P950,000 which is equal to the amount of the misappropriated funds, which shall earn interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of finality of this Decision until fully paid. So ordered.”