A.M. No. 96-1-25-RTC

Ruling

WHEREFORE , the Court RESOLVED as follows: (1) To find Ms. Teresita Blanco, social welfare officer I, guilty of dishonesty and order her dismissal from the service with forfeiture of all leave credits and retirement benefits, including the amount of P52,340.49, and disqualification for reemployment in any government office, including government owned and controlled corporations; (2) To apply any amount due her from October 24, 1996 as salaries to the payment of her shortage; (3) To find Atty. Elmer Lastimosa, clerk of court VI, guilty of gross neglect of duty, inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of his duties and order his suspension for six (6) months and one (1) day; (4) To find Atty. Antonio Tagami, clerk of court VI, guilty of misconduct and order his suspension for six (6) months with warning that a repetition of this or a similar offense in the future will be dealt with more severely; (5) To order the Office of the Court Administrator to take appropriate steps for the possible criminal prosecution of Ms. Teresita Blanco, Atty. Elmer Lastimosa and Atty. Antonio Tagami, for malversation of public funds as may be warranted by the facts and to report on the action taken within 90 days from notice hereof; (6) To refer the audit report of the MTC of Polomolok back to the Office of the Court Administrator for reevaluation, with instruction to submit a report and recommendation within 90 days from notice hereof. Let a copy of this decision be attached to the personnel records of Teresita Blanco, Elmer Lastimosa, and Antonio Tagami. SO ORDERED.