Teacher meted 8 mos. suspension for immorality

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has ordered eight months suspension against a public school teacher who was found guilty of disgraceful and immoral conduct for having an elicit affair with another woman.

Rogelio Tines, an elementary teacher in Lawa-an, Dumanjug was found administratively guilty of the complaint filed by his wife.

The anti-graft office has directed Department of Education regional director Recaredo Borgonia to implement the suspension order and to submit a compliance report within five days from receipt of the order.

Tines’ wife, Edna, filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman after the respondent allegedly failed to fulfill his obligation to them. Edna said she has five children with Tines whom she had married in November 17, 1992.

But despite the respondent’s obligation to Edna and their five children, Tines engaged in an elicit affair with a certain Estelita Alpuerto of whom he had sired a son.

Edna said her husband had abandoned them for his alleged paramour.

Anti-graft investigator Maria Regina Fernandez found Tines guilty of the administrative complaint based on the evidence presented by the complainant alone. The anti-graft body has directed Tines to submit his counter-affidavit but the latter failed to answer the complaint.

“Undoubtedly, the act of respondent Tines in maintaining a relationship with Estelita Alpuerto, where such relationship resulted to an offspring, despite the fact that he is already married to complainant is disgraceful and immoral conduct,” the Ombudsman resolution reads.

According to the anti-graft body, the respondent should have been a person of high moral character and a model to his students.

“He failed to live up to the standards required under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” the Ombudsman decision further reads. — (FREEMAN)