CHR exec dismissed, faces graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Cecilia Rachel Quisumbing has been dismissed from government service after the Office of the Ombudsman found that she had solicited and received money from the salaries of her staff.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered Quisumbing charged before the Sandiganbayan with graft, direct bribery and violation of Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Quisumbing’s dismissal is a penalty for the administrative offense of grave misconduct, which carries the accessory punishments of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Quisumbing was found to have committed criminal and administrative offenses after former staff members led by resigned administrative assistant Ma. Regina Eugenio filed complaints against her in September 2013.

The Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation found sufficient basis to indict Quisumbing after she allegedly asked for portions of her staff’s salaries and used the same for her personal benefit.

Eugenio said she was promoted in 2013 to senior administrative assistant but was asked that her salary differential should go to CRVQ office fund, to which she gave P41,292.85 from January to July last year before she decided to resign.

In her counter-affidavit, Quisumbing denied all allegations and called the complainants “disgruntled dismissed staff members.”

She also denied having ghost employees.

Quisumbing said the salary cuts were voluntary on the part of Eugenio and other employees, and that she had signed an agreement.

The Office of the Ombudsman ruled that the CHR’s “eager conduct in proposing the promotion of Eugenio betrays an intention not altogether altruistic.

“On the contrary, it denotes a corrupt desire on her part to obtain pecuniary benefits from an illegal transaction,” read the decision.

“In this case, it has been established by the circumstances that respondent acted with evident bad faith. As manifested by her actions, respondent’s wrongdoings is not only deliberate but also involves corruption as she unlawfully used her position or office to raise money or funds presumably for her own benefit.”

CHR to abide by decision

CHR information and media division chief Marc Titus Cabreros said they are duty-bound to implement the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision.

“The CHR is presently coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the proper course of action to take in light of the resolution it issued on the matter,” he said.

The Office of the Ombudsman resolution directed the filing of a criminal information for direct bribery against Quisumbing before the Sandiganbayan, Cabreros said. – With Rhodina Villanueva