General pleads guilty to SALN omissions

From InterAksyon (Feb 8): General pleads guilty to SALN omissions

Retired Major General Reynaldo Alcasid of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has entered a guilty plea in connection with the omissions he made in his 2003 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Firday.

“During arraignment, Alcasid pleaded guilty to both charges against him, thereby establishing his guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” Morales said.

The anti-graft court found Alcasid guilty of the crime of perjury, violating Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code. The court said he also violated Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The decision against Alcasid, issued on January 26, 2013, was penned by Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, Sandiganbayan’s First Division chairperson, and concurred in by associate justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos.

Morales said the court meted Alcasid a six-month prison term and a P5,000-fine.

Alcasid failed to include in his 2003 SALN a house and lot located at the AFP-Officers’ Village Association Inc. in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, and his loans amounting to $62,000.

The Sandiganbayan considered the two mitigating circumstances of voluntary surrender and plea of guilt.

“When there are two or more mitigating circumstances and no aggravating circumstances are present, the court shall impose the penalty next lower to that prescribed by law, in the period that it may deem applicable, according to the number and nature of such circumstances,” the anti-graft court's ruling stated.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/54639/general-pleads-guilty-to-saln-omissions