Ex-cop facing graft raps over P3,000

MANILA, Philippines - A former police official is facing charges for allegedly asking P3,000 from a fellow officer involved in an administrative case four years ago.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed charges of violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against former Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Dasmariñas.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Senior Inspector Benny Esparagoza, a respondent in an administrative case then handled by Dasmariñas, who was the hearing officer of the Police Regional Office 13 for administrative and disciplinary authority.

Esparagosa alleged that Dasmariñas asked him for P3,000 in exchange for a favorable ruling in the case.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the filing of charges against Dasmariñas with the Sandiganbayan on Aug. 4.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Yvette Marie Evaristo said Dasmariñas committed grave abuse of authority.

The ombudsman recommended a bail of P10,000 for Dasmariñas, who was dismissed from the service in June 2012 for failing to stop the illegal logging activities  when he was the police director in Agusan de Sur.