A senate officer is facing administrative and criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for serious dishonesty and falsifying official documents, according to a formal complaint filed by employees of the upper chamber.
The charges were filed against Senate Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica as she certified the correctness of the Senate Journal on what transpired on the floor concerning the approval on third reading of Senate Bill 1074, the measure proposing a raise on taxes of alcohol beverages and electronic cigarettes.
Villarica was not immediately available for comment.
Such grave offenses are punishable by dismissal from government service, including criminal and civil liability.
Represented by Singson and Montealto Law Office, the Senate employees filed the information before the Ombudsman, Friday, Jan. 31.
Official Senate records stated that Villarica read on the floor the title of SB 1074 when it was approved on third and final reading and she affixed her signature on the Senate Journal, a document which contains a succinct and accurate account of what has taken place in every session.
Yet, the actual proceedings, as captured in the video recording showed otherwise, according to the complaint.
Villarica allegedly failed to read the title of the measure before conducting a roll call vote of all the senators present.
“Atty. Villarica did not read the title of Senate Bill No. 1074 for its Third Reading; thus, what was made to be reflected in the Senate Journal are falsified and untruthful narration of facts. This is clearly an act of tampering of official documents,” the complaint said.
The document in question is no less than the Journal of the Senate of the Philippines, an august body which fulfils its role as a check on government by scrutinizing bills, delegated legislation, government administration and government policy in general.
Such offense, under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code, is punishable by prision mayor and a fine of not more than P1 million.