Thursday, November 23, 2006 Suspended fiscal now back at work
AFTER serving the 90-day suspension handed down by the anti-graft court for the loss of evidence in a drug case, Assistant City Prosecutor Rosendo Brillantes is back at the Office of the City Prosecutor.
He did not have a good vacation though, Brillantes told reporters.
“There were so many errands,” he said, smiling. Brillantes was officially back at his office last Monday although his suspension ended last Nov. 13.
City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon said Brillantes asked for an extension, which was approved.
The Sandiganbayan 4th Division ordered Brillantes to “cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising the functions, duties and privileges” of his position for three months effective Aug. 16.
Loss of shabu
The penalty was in relation to the loss of over 200 grams of shabu valued at close to P300,000. Brillantes was then considered custodian of the evidence.
The shabu was seized in a raid from Ma. Luisa “Bebot Tabar” Arriesgado in May 23, 2000. She was charged before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) with her son, Allan.
Another prosecutor was then in custody of the evidence but later endorsed these to Brillantes.
When Brillantes endorsed it yet to another prosecutor, the shabu was no longer at the steel cabinet of his secretary, Teresita Corocoto, where it was placed for safekeeping.
In October 2001, the Arriesgados were acquitted of the drug charge. RTC Judge Raphael Yrastorza considered the prosecution’s evidence as insufficient.
Brillantes was also administratively penalized by the Department of Justice with a three-month suspension for the same case. The recent preventive suspension was on the criminal aspect of the case.
The Sandiganbayan also convicted Brillantes of malversation of government property and sentenced him to 12 to 18 years in prison.
Review
Reporters chanced upon Brillantes reading a law book in his office yesterday.
He said that he has at least a week to review the law and the rules in criminal procedure since he is yet to receive new assignments. He is expected to do so on Monday.
Sellon said Brillantes will handle new cases since the cases Brillantes left behind were raffled off to other prosecutors. (JGA)
