A physician was sentenced by the Manila Regional Trial Court (MRTC) to more than 100 years in jail for holding simultaneously two government positions, the Office of the Ombudsman announced yesterday.
Dr. Rosalinda Benitez was found guilty of 19 counts of falsification and was sentenced up to six years for each indictment by RTC Presiding Judge Marlina Manuel.
During the trial, Ombudsman prosecutors presented evidence showing that Benitez falsified her Daily Time Records (DTRs) from August 2003 to February 2005.
Records showed that Benitez was appointed as full-time Medical Officer IV at the Manila Health Department (MHD) and as part-time Medical Specialist II at the Fabella Hospital.
In both positions, the accused received compensation and allowances.
The anti-graft prosecutors argued that the accused falsified her DTRs in both the Fabella Hospital and MHD to make it appear that she rendered work in both government institutions from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon daily.
The court agreed with the prosecution and ruled that “Benitez failed to give any satisfactory explanation on how she can work in two different places, even granting that these two workplaces are just near each other.”
Aside from long prison term, Dr. Benitez was also ordered to pay a fine of P2,000 for each count. (Jun Ramirez)