AN OFFICER of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- Soccsksargen was dismissed from service after she facilitated the release of suspected trafficking victims in 2009 despite having no authority to intervene in human trafficking cases.
Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman, through the decision of Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer 1 (GIPO1) Marianne Macayra dated June 23, 2014, has ordered the dismissal of Waheda Balayman, an administrative assistant of DSWD-Soccsksargen.
Balayman was dismissed after she was found guilty for dishonesty, grave misconduct, falsification of official documents and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman field investigation officer Romano Francisco, who accused Balayman of falsely representing DSWD-Soccsksargen when she facilitated the release of six minor girls who were under the custody of the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. (VFFI) in Cubao, Quezon City.
The complainant said the respondent called VFFI and inquired about the status and the release of the girls.
Balayman allegedly attended a hearing on February 17, 2009 involving the trafficking case against a certain Nasser Dani and she presented herself as an escort for one of the victims.
The victim, however, executed an affidavit of desistance and Balayman served as the witness as she signed the discharge letters of VFFI.
Francisco also accused Balayman for falsification of official documents as the latter allegedly made it appear in her daily time record (DTR) that she reported for work on the same day she was facilitating the release of the minors.
Macayra ordered the respondent to file a counter-affidavit but she failed to do so, thus Macayra resolved the case based on the complaint of Francisco.
"Respondent knew that she was re-assigned at the SEA-K Unit to assess, implement and monitor the implementation of the SEA-K program and other livelihood related projects of DSWD Field Office XII by virtue of Regional Special Order No. 010 series of 2009 dated February 5, 2009. Prior to her reassignment, her duties specifically pertain to clerical work and does not include getting involved in human trafficking of minors," Macayra's decision read.
Macayra also cited in her decision, "Even assuming that one of the victims may have been her relative, respondent does not have authority to use her office in following up the status of the girls. Instead, she made it appear that her involvement was done in behalf of DSWD Field Office XII without having any legal authority to do so."
If the dismissal can't be enforced anymore, the penalty will be converted to a fine amounting to one year worth of Balayman's salary which may be deducted from her retirement benefits or accrued leave credits. (RSA)