THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the graft conviction of a former National Agribusiness Corp. (NABCOR) employee over gross inexcusable negligence that led to the improper disbursement of P4.85 million in public funds.
In a decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the High Court dismissed the appeal of Dennis G. Lozada, a former technical specialist at the state-owned firm.
The case arose from Mr. Lozada signing two disbursement vouchers in 2008 that facilitated fund releases to the Center for Mindoro Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. under a Batangas lawmaker’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.
“Blindly signing upon a superior’s instruction, without verifying the supporting documents despite such duty, may constitute gross inexcusable negligence, especially when the officer had no authority over the project where irregularities were apparent,” the ruling read, dated June 9 and made public on Monday.
Mr. Lozada contended that he acted in good faith upon instructions from his immediate supervisor due to pressing work demands and alleged heavy pressure from higher officials, based on the ruling.
But state auditors found that the transactions lacked required project feasibility studies, fund utilization reports, receipts, and invoices to justify releasing government money.
The high court emphasized that public officials are constitutionally mandated to uphold public trust and must exercise reasonable diligence before certifying that expenses are lawful and legally necessary.
The decision affirmed the Sandiganbayan ruling sentencing Mr. Lozada to six years and one month to eight years of imprisonment, alongside perpetual disqualification from holding any public office. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking