Town councilor caught gambling released
The municipal councilor of Cordova who was arrested for gambling in a casino was released after the complaint against him was dismissed by the Office of the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor.
In a resolution dated Jan. 26, Assistant City Prosecutor Sheilamar Saliganan-Abadia found no probable cause to hold Lemuel Pogoy liable for open disobedience.
“The elements of open disobedience are that first, the offender is a judicial or executive officer. Unfortunately, the first element is wanting in the above-mentioned complaint since the respondent (Pogoy) is a member of the legislative officer being a municipal councilor,” reads a portion of the resolution.
This does not mean, however, that Pogoy is off the hook.
“The finding of lack of criminal liability does not presuppose that the respondent cannot be held administratively liable for his acts,” Abadia said.
Abadia then signed Pogoy’s re- lease order.
Pogoy was arrested last Thursday evening in Lapu-Lapu City after he was found playing slot machine in a hotel casino.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa on Wednesday authorized police to arrest any government employee caught gambling inside casinos nationwide.
Dela Rosa’s move came after President Rodrigo Duterte announced a stricter implementation of the ban.
Presidential Decrees 1067-B and 1869, which created the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., prohibit government officials, members of the uniformed services, students and minors from playing in casinos.
Memorandum Circular No. 6, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in 2016, also restated the ban, saying that the presence of any government officials or employees in casinos is considered “prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” /