CA upholds bribery decision vs. Nicolas cousins
THE Court of Appeals (CA) Special Eighth Division denied the appeal of a labor arbiter and his cousin, an Ombudsman graft investigator, to reverse a Sandiganbayan decision that found them guilty of direct bribery after a failed attempt to extort a former governor here and his son.
In its ruling promulgated last February 20, 2020, CA denied the petition of Isagani Nicolas, a former labor arbiter under the National Labor Relations Commission, and Leonardo Nicolas (NLRC) and graft investigator under the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Sandiganbayan ruled both guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty, based on its ruling last January 8, 2018.
Then Pangasinan 5th District Representative Amado T. Espino Jr., and Provincial Accountant Arturo Soriano, filed the administrative complaint against the two before the Ombudsman.
Recall that in his complaint, Espino claimed that in May 2017, he was informed by Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Geraldine Baniqued, that a certain Leonardo Nicolas contacted her regarding an alleged Ombudsman case filed against then Bugallon Mayor, now Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Jumel Espino.
Baniqued said Nicolas introduced himself as an Ombudsman lawyer and offered to help in the dismissal of the said case against the mayor, as well the alleged black sand mining case, in exchange for P3 million.
Espino then ordered Baniqued to continue the communication in order to stall time for an entrapment operation.
In June 2017, Baniqued was once again contacted by Nicolas, saying that new cases have been filed in the Office of the Ombudsman against the senior Espino. He (Nicolas) was allegedly persistent in his request to meet Espino.
Espino ordered Baniqued to refer Nicolas to Arturo Soriano.
In his complaint-affidavit, Soriano claimed that on July 14, 2017, he received a text message sent by Isagani Nicolas – who insisted that they meet in order to discuss the cases filed against the Espinos.
They met in a hotel in Dagupan City, Isagani and Leonardo showed Soriano several alleged complaints against the Espinos, stating that Leonardo can facilitate the dismissal of said cases in exchange of P3 million.
Both parties once again met in a resort in Lingayen, this time, with Soriano coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), ready for an entrapment operation, where they were eventually arrested after the exchange of the marked money.
The Sandiganbayan, through President Judge Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, earlier upheld the Ombudsman’s charge, and denied the motion for lack of merit.
Both cousins were imposed the penalty of dismissal from service. (Ahikam Pasion)
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