Sandigan finds former chief of parole office guilty of graft

CEBU - The Sandiganbayan has found former Parole and Probation Administrator in Central Visayas guilty of two criminal cases and sentenced him to a total of 18 years in prison and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The first division of the anti-graft court convicted Gregorio Bacolod of graft and falsification charges for certifying that Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte Mayor Dominador Jalosjos Jr. has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation in 2003.

In a 36-page Decision, the Sandiganbayan found Bacolod guilty of violation of RA 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act and of the offense of falsification of public document under Art 171 of the Revised Penal Code.

Bacolod was sentenced to a term of from six years and one month to 10 years and perpetual disqualification from public office for violation of the anti-graft law.

On top of it, the Court also sentenced him from two years, four months and one day of prison correccional as minimum to eight years and one day of prison mayor as maximum with the accessories penalties and a fine of P2,000, for violation of Art 171 of the RPC.

The case stemmed from Bacolod’s issuing a certification dated December 19, 2003, stating and making it appear that Jalosjos has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and his case is deemed terminated.

However, records revealed that Jalosjos never reported to the Cebu City Parole and Probation Office as evidenced by the motion for revocation of probation dated 08 August 1986, which Bacolod himself filed.

On the basis of the said Motion, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cebu City issued an Order on March 19, 1987, which revoked the probation of Jalosjos and ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him.

The warrant however was not effected even after the lapse of more than 16 years. Thus, an alias warrant was issued on January 16, 2004, upon the motion of the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

On December 13, 2003, Jalosjois secured from Bacolod the certification in question.

Subsequently, on January 23, 2004, Bacolod submitted a termination report before the court that Jalosjos “has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and his case is deemed terminated.”

On the basis of the certification issued by Bacolod, Jalosjos filed an urgent motion to lift the alias warrant issued against him. Subsequently, the court issued on February 5, 2004 an order “declaring that probationer Dominador Jalosjos, Jr has duly complied with the order of probation, setting aside its Order of 16 January 2004, and recalling the warrant of arrest issued.” – Fred P. Languido/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)