Former Mayor Jesus Rico Sarmiento of Garchitorena, Camarines Sur, has pleaded guilty before the Sandiganbayan for violation of Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees). Investigation disclosed that from January to October 2014, Sarmiento repeatedly used two private vehicles owned by a contractor with several ongoing projects in the municipality.
Upon arraignment on 27 October 2017, accused as assisted by counsel, voluntarily entered a plea of guilty before the court’s seventh division. Accused was fully apprised of the consequences of his plea in open court. In clear terms, Sarmiento stated that he understood the nature of his plea; that if he pleaded guilty to the charge, he is deemed to have admitted all the accusations in the Information.
The anti-graft court imposed the penalty of a fine of P2,000.00, having appreciated in Sarmiento’s favor, the mitigating circumstance of plea of guilty.
Under the Code, government officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office. ###