Ex-Tayabas councilor fined P1k for solicitation

TAYABAS, Philippines — A former councilor of Tayabas City in Quezon has been fined after he pleaded guilty to a lesser offense, which stemmed from his alleged solicitation of money from a bank.

Marfeo Jacela pleaded guilty to violating Section 108 of Presidential Decree 1445 or the Government Auditing Code, the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division said in a decision promulgated on Dec. 5 and released on Friday.

Jacela was ordered to pay P1,000.

Section 108 of PD 1445 prohibits a public official ”from having pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract or transaction of the agency in which he is an officer.”

Jacela’s admission of guilt was in accordance with a plea bargain deal that he entered with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Under the deal, Jacela would plead guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for dropping the case of violation of Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which carries stiffer penalties.

 Violators face imprisonment of up to five years or fine not exceeding P5,000 or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

 “The prosecution gave its consent to the plea of guilty to the lesser offense... and informed the court that it is... giving the consent for and in behalf of the private complainant... The prosecution manifested that the civil liability has been satisfied,” the second division said.

Jacela was accused of soliciting and receiving P100,000 in “donation” from the Philippine Veterans Bank-Lucena City branch in October 2014. 

The ombudsman said Jacela received the amount “despite knowing fully well” that the bank had a pending request for reconsideration of the decision of the city council, which terminated its services as the depository bank of the city government.