SC reinstates dismissed police colonel to rank

Noting his length of service, unblemished record, and numerous awards received during his 29 years in active service, the Supreme Court has modified its 2017 decision that affirmed the dismissal of Senior Supt. Rainier A. Espina as it ordered his reinstatement to his rank at the Philippine National Police.

But the SC said that while Espina’s reinstatement is “without loss of seniority rights and all rights appurtenant thereto,” he is not entitled to back salaries.

The ruling was contained in a “per curiam” resolution that granted Espina’s motion to reconsider the March 15, 2017 SC decision that reversed the Court of Appeals and affirmed his dismissal from the service ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2012.

The resolution was issued last month but was made public only yesterday.

A per curiam decision or resolution of the SC is handed down unanimously and the writer of the ruling is not identified.

Espina, then acting chief and head of the PNP management division, was charged criminally and administratively, along with several other police officers, in connection with the ₱400 million supply of materials and repair of combat vehicles.

After investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman found Espina administratively liable for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty. He was dismissed from government service.