GOOD intentions do not excuse a criminal offense.
The Sandiganbayan made this pronouncement in convicting a former tourism officer of Puerto Princesa City and her staff for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).
Sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined P5,000 each were Aileen Cynthia M. Amurao, former city tourism department head, and Michael Angelo L. Aquino Jr., a contractual employee hired as a tourism operation assistant. They were likewise barred from holding any other position in government in the future.
Two other city tourism officers who were named co-defendants were acquitted for lack of evidence to show their participation in the crime.
In the 65-page decision penned by Sixth Division Associate Justice Kevin Narce B. Vivero, the anti-graft court held that Amurao’s zeal in promoting Puerto Princesa’s tourism industry does not excuse her actions which were contrary to law.
Associate Justices Sarah Jane t. Fernandez and Karl B. Miranda concurred.
Records showed the City Tourism Office sent letters requesting several private firms, including telecom giants Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., to be sponsors of the “Pangalipay sa Baybay” (Merrymaking by the Bay) 2014.
The private firms sent cash or gifts in kind in support of the festival but the city treasury denied these were recorded as officially received by the local government.
Likewise, the city budget officer who testified during the trial presented documents showing that the event was covered by a program of appropriation from the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
“Amurao’s vision-focused initiative to catalyze tourism development was laudable, but the means, method, and manner that she adopted while taking advantage of her public office and official position does not sit well with this Court,” the Sandiganbayan said.
“(T)he Machiavellian principle that ‘the end justifies the means’ has no place in government service which thrives on the rule of law, consistency and stability. Accused Amurao, by acting as a freeloader, transgressed the anti-solicitation statue,” the court added invoking the Supreme Court pronouncement in the 2010 case of National Power Corporation v. Olandesca.
