Ex-local execs in Bukidnon face graft for illegal salary hike

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted three former of local officials of a town in Bukidnon province for grafts in connection with the unauthorized increase in the salary grade of a municipality shop foreman in 2009.

In a nine-page resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found sufficient ground to charge former Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio Quiño, municipal budget officer Cecilia Quiño-Rejas and municipal shop foreman Antonio Quiño Jr. for graft.

Based on the resolution, that from 2009 to 2012, the former mayor and his budget officer upgraded Antonio's salary grade from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15 and then to Salary Grade 18.

It sid the act violated two Sangguniang Bayan ordinances and Republic Act No. 6758 or known as the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989.

The two former local executives also approved  the increase of Antonio’s daily wage rate from P765.13 to P1,157.90,  the resolution said.

Under the law, "all positions in the government shall be allocated to their position titles and salary grades in accordance with the Index of Occupational Service, Position Titles and Salary Grades of the Compensation and Position Classification System which shall be prepared by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management)."

"Absent any proof of compliance with DBM circulars, the salary grade increases were clearly made without basis and violated the rules on compensation and position classification set under R.A. No. 6758," Ombudsman Morales said.