The Supreme Court overturned a ruling that cleared former Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) chief Leocadio Santiago, Jr. over the purchase of second-hand helicopters that were passed off as brand new in 2009.
The SC released a 14-page notice granting the petition for review filed by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) that reversed Santiago’s acquittal.
Instead, an earlier OMB resolution that found Santiago guilty of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service was reinstated, where he was imposed the penalty of dismissal.
In 2008, PNP planned to buy three helicopters through a failed public bidding. Santiago requested the immediate purchase of at least one equipped light police operational helicopter (LPOH) and two standard LPOHs instead of the original three.
The Manila Aerospace Products and Trading (MAPTRA) delivered two standard helicopters, but it was later found that they were not brand new, and the warranties for their engines had long expired. The SC was convinced of Santiago’s liability in this development.
“Had respondent bothered to actually review these documents and exercised the diligence expected of a public official, the irregularities pertaining to MAPTRA’s qualifications could have been flagged,” the high court said.
According to the SC, Santiago’s actions “tarnished the image and integrity” of the PNP. It also described his defense as weak.
“[T]hat he merely relied on the representations of the other committees and his superiors and that it would be ‘impossible’ to require him to scrutinize each and every process at a time when he was engaged in police operations, further reflects the unacceptable standard that was applied to his public office,” the high court ruled.