Former court sheriff charged with estafa

CEBU, Philippines — A former court sheriff was indicted of estafa for allegedly using P250,000 given to him by a well-known medical practitioner as facilitation fee to hasten the issuance of a writ of execution in a civil case.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has found probable cause to charge former court sheriff Julbert Opada of the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 in Mandaue City with estafa. The prosecutor’s office recommended P20,000 bail for his temporary liberty.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Dr. Abello “Billy” Jaca, who claimed that Opada received P250,000 from him to facilitate a civil case he filed. Jaca said that sometime in June 2016, he went to the RTC Branch 28 in Mandaue City to follow up his case.

Opada allegedly introduced himself as court sheriff and told him that his case was already submitted for decision and a writ of execution would be out soon. The accused then asked P250,000 as facilitation fee and for the necessary court expenses for his case to be given priority.

“I was approached by Opada, who introduced himself as the court sheriff of RTC Branch 28, Mandaue City. He told me that he can help the plaintiffs or the landowners in getting an early release of the final decision and writ of execution,” Jaca said, adding that Opada even assured him that he could influence to get the decision and writ of execution early.

However, Jaca said he noticed after four months that the status of his case was not progressing. He tried to contact Opada but failed, prompting him to check with the court and found out that the accused was not in the position to influence the outcome of the case.

Jaca said he demanded the return of his money but Opada failed, prompting him to file complaints for estafa and indirect bribery. Prosecutor II Aurora Peñaflor, however, dismissed the indirect bribery for insufficiency of evidence.

“Upon perusal of the case on record, the undersigned hereby recommends that the case for indirect bribery be dismissed and the case of estafa be filed in court,” the resolution reads. (FREEMAN)