Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) — The Sandiganbayan has denied former Quezon City councilor Roderick Paulate’s appeal to reverse his conviction over the hiring of ghost employees in 2010.
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In a decision dated Jan. 23, the anti-graft court’s 7th division said Paulate’s motion for reconsideration lacked merit.
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“After a careful perusal of the arguments raised by accused, the court finds no cogent reason to disturb its earlier findings,” the court said.
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In November, Paulate was found guilty of graft and falsification of public documents for pocketing over ₱1.1 million through falsifying documents for the hiring of 30 ghost employees.
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READ: Ex-QC councilor Roderick Paulate faces graft conviction over hiring of ghost employees
In his appeal, he argued that the prosecution failed to directly link him to the falsified documents for the hiring of fictitious job contractors.
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Paulate insisted he had no knowledge that the workers were fictitious or non-existent.
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“According to the best of his personal knowledge, these job contractors exist and that they are real persons. He saw people working,” his counsel said in the appeal.
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However, the court disagreed. It also reiterated its finding that Paulate is at fault for signing the general payrolls and certifications for the services rendered without proper monitoring and verification.
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“Accused Paulate should not have neglected the other tasks in connection with his position, that is, delivering his promises to the constituents with utmost efficiency and integrity,” the court explained.
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Paulate is facing imprisonment of at least 10.5 years up to 62 years. He is also supposed to refund the government around ₱1.2 million or the amount he is accused of pocketing with 6% interest per year until it is fully paid.
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The Sandiganbayan also denied the appeal filed by Paulate’s former driver and liaison officer Vicente Bajamunde, who supposedly collected the salaries of the fictitious job contractors.
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