537 Phil. 751
CARPIO, J.:
Ms. Santos' argument that she did not malverse anything because during the audit examination, her June 11, 1999 collections were just in her vault for deposit but were allegedly not included by the examining auditors, is highly unbelievable, in view of the unexplained delay of [17] days between the day of collection and the day of the actual deposit thereof. If only to protect and save her from being accused of Malversation of Public Funds, she should have insisted in presenting her June 11, 1999 collections if indeed, the same were just in her vault as claimed by her. Also, if indeed there were two (2) fake five hundred peso bills in her June 11, 1999 collections which she has to replace yet [sic], why didn't she surrender to the auditors her collections that were not fake when she was demanded to do so by virtue of the Cash Production Notice?Respondent sought reconsideration but the Ombudsman Visayas denied her motion in its Order of 25 March 2003.
While it is true that Ms. Santos had fully restituted the shortage by way of depositing her June 11, 1999 collections on June 28, 1999 in the amount of P33,925.99, this Office, however, finds the same[] not an exculpatory circumstance but only a mitigating one.
On the other hand, considering that the herein respondent had been previously adjudged of being guilty of Simple Misconduct per the Decision of this Office in the case of OMB-VIS-ADM-2001-0037 (COA-7 VS. LORENA L. SANTOS), dated September 6, 2001, the present case constitutes therefore, a second offense of the herein respondent.
IN VIEW of the foregoing, this Office finds Ms. Lorena L. Santos, Special Collection Officer/Disbursing Officer of the LTFRB, Region-7, guilty of DISHONESTY, [and] thus, metes the penalty of DISMISSAL from the service with forfeiture of all benefits and perpetual disqualification to hold public office, as this case is the second offense which she was found to be guilty of, the first one was in relation to OMB-VIS-ADM-2001-0037 (COA-7 VS. LORENA L. SANTOS).[3]
In the first ground, petitioner argued that there was no prima facie case of Malversation since [the] COA's examining team never made a demand on petitioner regarding the shortage which when duly ascertained sometime early July, accountable officer petitioner had already covered it by the deposit on June 28, 1999. x x x xThe Office of the Ombudsman ("petitioner") sought intervention in the Court of Appeals and moved for reconsideration of that portion of the Court of Appeals' ruling finding petitioner without power to impose sanctions in cases falling under its disciplinary authority.
From a meticulous scrutiny of the records of the case, it is clear to our mind that indeed petitioner only had P37,820.55 in cash during the cash examination on June 21, 1999 but her accountabilities of P71,746.54 was not ascertained on the same date but much later as attested to by COA's examining team who had difficulty in establishing petitioner's total accountability due to the neglect in timely cashbook entries compounded by the non-closing of the cashbook at every month-end. Thus, there is some discrepancy with the Report of Cash Examination dorsal side where petitioner's accountability and shortage were indicated but such was attested to by State Auditor Uy on June 21, 1999 when the accountability was not determined. Be that as it may, what is undisputed is that on the examination date and reckoned thereon petitioner was short of her forthcoming accountabilities. Thus the late deposit of the shortage is nothing but a restitution which will not exculpate petitioner.
x x x x
[A]rticle 217 the Revised Penal Code on Malversation of public funds or property is very clear in providing pertinently thus -Art. 217. - Malversation of public funds or property — Presumption of Malversation. — Any public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for public funds or property, [x x x x]Thus, where there is a shortage or disappearance of public funds in the hands of an accountable public officer it constitutes prima facie evidence of their conversion or misappropriation.
The failure of a public officer to have duly forthcoming any public funds or property with which he is chargeable, upon demand by any duly authorized officer, shall be prima facie evidence that he has put such missing funds or property to personal uses. (As amended by Rep. Act No. 1060)
x x x x
Thus, when examining officers demanded from petitioner all her cash and accountabilities, she was duly bound to present all of it. She cannot give any excuse that she has other cash somewhere else for it is her duty to present all upon due examination. When petitioner could not present the shortage during the examination, she was properly deemed to have embezzled and misappropriated the lacking accountability despite her restitution which would only be a mitigating circumstance.
In the second ground, petitioner asseverated that the assailed decision was not based on substantial evidence. We are likewise not persuaded. It is indubitable that petitioner acknowledged the shortage through her undated letter and the Audit Observation Memorandum. Moreover, the Report of Cash Examination ineluctably established she only had the cash and accounts as reflected thereon. Petitioner's belated excuse of the two (2) fake P500 bills is totally bereft of credence. As aptly pointed out by the Reply-Affidavit of [the] examining officials, petitioner only brought out this alleged reason in her Counter-Affidavit when she had three (3) opportunities to bring it up, to wit: on the actual examination, the exit conference and her written explanation.
In her third assigned ground, petitioner assailed the regularity of the audit conducted by [the] examining officers x x x who allegedly did not follow their own rules of procedure. We are likewise not convinced of this imputation. It is clear to our mind that petitioner was duly accorded due process since she did sign and receive a copy of the Audit Observation Memorandum which is the result of the examination and audit. Thus, with that memorandum, it was petitioner's right to question it and avail of all the remedies she has belatedly invoked now. As is apparent, petitioner chose not to avail of any of these remedies. x x x x
Anent the last ground raised, petitioner asseverated that there is misapprehension of the restitution and her newly designated additional work for which she was unfamiliar with as mitigating circumstances in her favor. Moreover, considering that her previous conviction [in OMB-VIS-ADM-2001-0037] was for an offense subsequent to the subject matter of the instant case, petitioner questions the Ombudsman's consideration of such conviction as an aggravating circumstance of recidivism. There is merit in this argument.
It is undeniable that petitioner only received her additional designation as acting Disbursing and Special Collecting Officer on November 24, 1998 or barely seven (7) months before the subject examination and audit. Indeed, the LTFRB Regional Director has conceded in the exit conference that petitioner is overburdened or overworked. The findings embodied in the Cash Examination Report and the Audit Observation Memorandum showed that petitioner needed to comply with many fiscal procedures. These constitute clear ineptitude of petitioner in fiscal matters. We refuse to impute malice or ill-intent on petitioner's neglect in updating the cashbook as well as the non-closing of the cashbook at month-end. We see it as a product of her ineptitude coupled with too much work. Thus, such should be appreciated as mitigating on her part.
x x x x
As to the ground of prior conviction or recidivism considered against petitioner, we disagree with the Ombudsman's consideration thereof as aggravating circumstance. Whilst there was a prior conviction of petitioner in OMB-VIS-ADM-2001-0037, such should not have been considered as an aggravating circumstance of recidivism. x x x x
[T]here is no aggravating circumstance of recidivism in the case at bar since petitioner's conviction herein is for an offense committed before the offense involved in [OMB-VIS-ADM-2001-0037].
In fine, the two (2) mitigating circumstances of voluntary restitution as well being overworked and quite new and inept in her new fiscal assignments should have been properly appreciated to petitioner's benefit. Moreover, no aggravating circumstance should be considered against petitioner.
Lastly, petitioner raised the question of the Ombudsman's authority and jurisdiction to directly impose a penalty in the instant administrative case. We agree with petitioner.
The 200[2] case of Tapiador vs. Office of the Ombudsman, et al. has at least rendered a ruling in this issue albeit only in an obiter dictum. We have made an assiduous study on this issue and we also arrive at the conclusion that the Ombudsman cannot directly enforce its disciplinary authority upon its findings pursuant to an administrative investigation.
Firstly, [Section 13, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution] unequivocably uses the word "recommend" thus effectively proscribing or limiting the powers to be granted the Office of the Ombudsman in administrative cases.
Secondly, a close scrutiny of Section 15, (3) of R.A. 6770 otherwise known as the Ombudsman Act, taken and read, as a whole, clearly grants the Ombudsman only recommendatory powers in administrative cases and must direct the officer concerned to take action against the erring public officer or employee in accordance with its recommendation. It is only upon failure of said officer concerned to act that the Ombudsman is empowered to enforce and can compel such officer to take action. If the intent of R.A. 6770 was to grant the Ombudsman power to directly enforce penalties in administrative cases, the proviso using the verb enforce should have been placed at the start of the section. x x x x Therefore, we hold that the Ombudsman's jurisdiction and authority in administrative cases is only recommendatory.
Thus, the undeniable conclusion is that the Ombudsman has jurisdiction, authority and power only to recommend the penalties it imposes in administrative matters, as in the instant case.
Therefore, premises considered, we find the Ombudsman to have committed reversible error in rendering the assailed Decision dated October 28, 2002 [and in] considering the aggravating circumstance of previous conviction while failing to properly appreciate the mitigating circumstances. Thus, we find petitioner only guilty of Neglect of Duty instead of Dishonesty and, accordingly, should be penalized with suspension from office for six (6) months without pay.
WHEREFORE, the instant Petition is partially GRANTED, and the assailed Order [dated 25 March 2003] of the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas), Cebu City, in administrative case OMB-VIS-ADM-2001-0412, [is] NULLIFIED and SET ASIDE. And the assailed Decision [dated 28 October 2002] is hereby MODIFIED in that petitioner is hereby found guilty of NEGLECT OF DUTY and thus meted the penalty of SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE for SIX (6) MONTHS without pay which imposable penalty is hereby DECLARED only recommendatory and should be directed to the proper officer or authority concerned, in the Land Transportation Franchis[ing] and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), for its enforcement and implementation. No pronouncement as to costs.[4] (Emphasis in the original)
(1) Whether petitioner has the power to impose penalties in administrative cases under its jurisdiction, and, if so,
(2) Whether petitioner correctly imposed on respondent the penalty of dismissal from service.
Sec. 13. The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:Section 15 (3) of RA 6770 substantially reiterates this constitutional provision, thus:
x x x x
(3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or employee at fault, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith.
Sec. 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. — The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions and duties:Giving a literal interpretation to the word "recommend" in these provisions, the Court of Appeals concluded that petitioner could do no more.
x x x x
(3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public officer or employee at fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required by law, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith; or enforce its disciplinary authority as provided in Section 21 of this Act: Provided, That the refusal by any officer without just cause to comply with an order of the Ombudsman to remove, suspend, demote, fine, censure or prosecute an officer or employee who is at fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required by law shall be a ground for disciplinary action against said officer[.]
Section 15 is substantially the same as Section 13, Article XI of the Constitution which provides for the powers, functions and duties of the Ombudsman. We draw attention to subparagraph 3, to wit:In our recent ruling in Office of the Ombudsman v. Court of Appeals,[8] we reiterated Ledesma and expounded that taken together, the relevant provisions[9] of RA 6770 vested petitioner with "full administrative disciplinary authority" including the power to "determine the appropriate penalty imposable on erring public officers or employees as warranted by the evidence, and, necessarily, impose the said penalty," thus:SEC. 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. – The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions and duties:We note that the proviso above qualifies the "order" "to remove, suspend, demote, fine, censure, or prosecute" an officer or employee x x x. That the refusal, without just cause, of any officer to comply with such an order of the Ombudsman to penalize an erring officer or employee is a ground for disciplinary action, is a strong indication that the Ombudsman's "recommendation" is not merely advisory in nature but is actually mandatory within the bounds of law. This should not be interpreted as usurpation by the Ombudsman of the authority of the head of office or any officer concerned. It has long been settled that the power of the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute any illegal act or omission of any public official is not an exclusive authority but a shared or concurrent authority in respect of the offense charged. By stating therefore that the Ombudsman "recommends" the action to be taken against an erring officer or employee, the provisions in the Constitution and in RA 6770 intended that the implementation of the order be coursed through the proper officer x x x.
[x x x x]
(3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public officer or employee at fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required by law, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith; or enforce its disciplinary authority as provided in Section 21 of this Act: Provided, That the refusal by any officer without just cause to comply with an order of the Ombudsman to remove, suspend, demote, fine, censure, or prosecute an officer or employee who is at fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required by law shall be a ground for disciplinary action against said officer; (Emphasis supplied)
x x x x
The foregoing interpretation is consistent with the wisdom and spirit behind the creation of the Office of the Ombudsman. The records of the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission reveal the following:
MR. MONSOD:Madam President, perhaps it might be helpful if we give the spirit and intendment of the Committee. What we wanted to avoid is the situation where it deteriorates into a prosecution arm. We wanted to give the idea of the Ombudsman a chance, with prestige and persuasive powers, and also a chance to really function as a champion of the citizen.MR. RODRIGO:
However, we do not want to foreclose the possibility that in the future, The Assembly, as it may see fit, may have to give additional powers to the Ombudsman; we want to give the concept of a pure Ombudsman a chance under the Constitution.Madam President, what I am worried about is if we create a constitutional body which has neither punitive nor prosecutory powers but only persuasive powers, we might be raising the hopes of our people too much and then disappoint them.MR. MONSOD:I agree with the Commissioner.MR. RODRIGO:Anyway, since we state that the powers of the Ombudsman can later on be implemented by the legislature, why not leave this to the legislature?MR. MONSOD:Yes, because we want to avoid what happened in 1973. I read the committee report which recommended the approval of the 27 resolutions for the creation of the office of the Ombudsman, but notwithstanding the explicit purpose enunciated in that report, the implementing law — the last one, P.D. No. 1630 — did not follow the main thrust; instead it created the Tanodbayan, x x x xMR. MONSOD: (reacting to statements of Commissioner Blas Ople):May we just state that perhaps the honorable Commissioner has looked at it in too much of an absolutist position, The Ombudsman is seen as a civil advocate or a champion of the citizens against the bureaucracy, not against the President. On one hand, we are told he has no teeth and he lacks other things. On the other hand, there is the interpretation that he is a competitor to the President, as if he is being brought up to the same level as the President.
With respect to the argument that he is a toothless animal, we would like to say that we are promoting the concept in its form at the present, but we are also saying that he can exercise such powers and functions as may be provided by law in accordance with the direction of the thinking of Commissioner Rodrigo. We did not think that at this time we should prescribe this, but we leave it up to Congress at some future time if it feels that it may need to designate what powers the Ombudsman need in order that he be more effective. This is not foreclosed.
So, his is a reversible disability, unlike that of a eunuch; it is not an irreversible disability. (Italicization and underlining in the original; boldfacing supplied)
[The] provisions in Republic Act No. 6770 taken together reveal the manifest intent of the lawmakers to bestow on the Office of the Ombudsman full administrative disciplinary authority. These provisions cover the entire gamut of administrative adjudication which entails the authority to, inter alia, receive complaints, conduct investigations, hold hearings in accordance with its rules of procedure, summon witnesses and require the production of documents, place under preventive suspension public officers and employees pending an investigation, determine the appropriate penalty imposable on erring public officers or employees as warranted by the evidence, and, necessarily, impose the said penalty.[10] (Italicization in the original; boldfacing supplied)We see no reason to deviate from these rulings. They are consistent with our earlier observation that unlike the "classical Ombudsman model" whose function is merely to "receive and process the people's complaints against corrupt and abusive government personnel," the Philippine Ombudsman —
as protector of the people, is armed with the power to prosecute erring public officers and employees, giving him an active role in the enforcement of laws on anti-graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses that may be committed by such officers and employees. The legislature has vested him with broad powers to enable him to implement his own actions.[11] (Emphasis supplied)