Retired general gets six months for perjury

MANILA, Philippines - A retired Army general lied under oath and failed to properly declare his wealth in 2003 but was honest enough not to make excuses and decided to admit his mistake.

For this, the Sandiganbayan has sentenced Reynaldo Alcasid to only six months in prison for perjury and fined him P5,000.

The court imposed lesser penalties considering Alcasid surrendered to the police.

Alcasid was the former commanding general of the 5th Infantry Division of the Northern Luzon Command.

Records show that Alcasid was charged in September last year for not properly declaring his wealth in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in 2003.

He failed to include a house and lot located at the AFP Officers’ Village Association Inc. at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, and his loans amounting to $62,000.

In a decision penned by Sandiganbayan First Division chairman Efren dela Cruz last Jan. 26, the anti-graft court found Alcasid guilty of perjury and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The retired general pleaded guilty during his arraignment.

The Sandiganbayan considered the surrender and guilty plea as mitigating circumstances.

Perjury, without mitigating circumstances, is punishable by two years imprisonment under the Revised Penal Code.