Ex-CamSur mayor fined for ethics violation

A former mayor of Garchitorena town in Camarines Sur has avoided a prison term after pleading guilty to violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Jesus Rico Sarmiento admitted using the luxury vehicles of a private contractor that had transactions with the municipal government during his arraignment, the Sandiganbayan’s seventh division said in a decision promulgated on Nov. 10 and released on Friday.

“Having appreciated in his favor the mitigating circumstance of the guilty plea, accused is imposed the...fine of P2,000,” the ruling penned by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta read.

Associate Justices Lorifel Pahimna and Bayani Jacinto concurred with the ruling.

Section 7 (d) of RA 7613 prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting “directly or indirectly any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

Violators face up to five years in prison, a fine of not more than P5,000 or both.

Those convicted of the offense may also be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Based on the complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman earlier this year, Sarmiento repeatedly used two luxury vehicles owned by a certain Maria Carmela Fernando of JM Cofer Construction and Supply from January to October 2014.

JM Cofer had four ongoing projects with the municipal government at the time.