SC dismisses RTC clerk for Dishonesty

CEBU, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the dismissal of a Regional Trial Court (RTC) clerk in Cebu City after finding him guilty of gross dishonesty.

Primitivo A. Sumayo, Clerk III of the RTC Branch 10 presided by Judge Soliver Peras, falsified the documents that he used in applying for his job several years ago.

Chief Justice Renato C. Corona ordered his dismissal from the service effective immediately, with all his retirement benefits forfeited.

The High Tribunal also ruled that Sumayo will no longer be accepted for employment in any government agency, including government-owned and controlled corporations.

“Let this case serve as a warning to all court personnel that the Supreme Court, in the exercise of its administrative supervision over all lower courts and their personnel, will not hesitate to enforce the full extent of the law in disciplining and purging from the judiciary all those who are not befitting the integrity and dignity of the institution, even if it would mean their dismissal from the service despite their length of service,” the SC ruling reads.

The records showed that one Antonio Exequil Momongan filed a complaint against Sumayo claiming that the latter is not fit to become an employee in the judiciary because he did not finish the tertiary education and that he is not civil service eligible.

RTC Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes was tasked by the Supreme Court to investigate the complaint filed against Sumayo and to submit his recommendation.

Paredes recommended for the outright dismissal of Sumayo after the latter failed to prove that he is worth to be retained as an employee of the judiciary. Sumayo claimed in his personal data sheet that he graduated from the University of the Visayas but did not submit proof. He also failed to submit certification from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to prove that he is a civil service eligible.

“Clearly, Sumayo misrepresented his qualifications as to his educational attainment and eligibility for government service. This misrepresentation amounts to plain and simple dishonesty which, in this case, refers to act of intentionally making false statement on any material fact in securing one’s appointment,” the SC ruling further reads. (FREEMAN NEWS)