MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine Supreme Court has penalized a former court utility worker after he was convicted of a drug-related offense, according to a decision released Saturday.
Gerson O. Galan, who worked as a Utility Worker I at Branch 30 of the Regional Trial Court in Iloilo City, was found guilty of gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The high court ordered him to pay a fine of 150,000 pesos, forfeit his retirement and other benefits except for accrued leave credits, and face perpetual disqualification from reinstatement or appointment to any public office.
Galan was arrested on March 7, 2019, during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Iloilo City Drug Enforcement Unit.
He was initially charged with violating Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which pertains to the sale of illegal drugs.
Court documents reveal that Galan and a co-accused were caught selling 0.1689 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” to an undercover officer for 3,000 pesos.
In May 2019, Galan entered a plea bargain and was subsequently found guilty of violating Section 12 of the same act, which covers possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was sentenced to six months and one day to four years in prison and fined 30,000 pesos.
The Supreme Court, in its decision, emphasized that court employees should uphold high standards of conduct.
“The image of a court of justice is necessarily mirrored in the conduct, official or otherwise, of the men and women who work thereat, from the judge to the least and lowest of its personnel,” the court stated.
Galan had resigned from his position on January 13, 2020, while facing criminal charges.
However, the administrative case against him proceeded despite his resignation.
The high court’s decision was based on recommendations from the Judicial Integrity Board, which found that Galan’s actions constituted a “flagrant violation of the law which besmirched the image of the court where he worked.”
