Court sheriff dismissed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A court sheriff in Passi City, Iloilo has been dismissed from his post for allegedly asking P56,000 in exchange for the settlement of a case involving violation of the bouncing checks law.

In a ruling promulgated in November 2025 and uploaded only recently on the website of the Supreme Court, the SC said there was sufficient proof showing Gerard Louie Garganera, sheriff of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Passi, guilty of the offense.

“He offered to help negotiate a settlement if the defendant would send him an initial amount of P1,500 to his mobile wallet. The defendant refused and told the sheriff that she would pay him later in full,” the SC said.

Garganera reportedly asked P56,000, but reduced the amount to P50,000. He was arrested in a sting conducted by members of the Iloilo City police.

“His action violated the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel and amounted to grave misconduct and dishonesty,” according to the ruling penned by SC Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez.

The SC debunked Garganera’s arguments that the agreed amount was for the settlement of the case and “not for his personal benefit.”

“His claim of good faith was belied by the evidence presented showing he solicited and accepted money from a litigant for the settlement of a case. Despite knowing he had no authority to mediate between the parties, the respondent engaged in such a conduct to obtain personal gains,” the SC said in declaring Garganera guilty of gross misconduct and serious dishonesty.

The high tribunal forfeited Garganera’s retirement benefits and perpetually disqualified him from public service including in government-owned and controlled corporations.