DAVAO CITY – Two local officials from Barangay Matina Pangi were apprehended by the combined forces of CIDG-DCFU and Talomo Police Station on June 9 for falsification of public documents.
The arrested individuals were identified as Barangay Kagawad Julito Reston, 57, and Barangay Treasurer Dexyma Robillo, 34. Their arrest was made in response to a warrant issued by Presiding Judge Nanette Gustilo Lemana of RTC Branch 11.
The charges against Reston and Robillo revolve around 15 counts of falsification of public documents involving government projects. For each count, the Court imposes P72,200 bail totalling to P1.08 million pesos for each one of them for their temporary liberty pending court trial.
PCpt. Ronnie Batingal, Deputy Station Commander of Talomo Police Station, in an interview said “The private complainant immediately sought intervention from the Ombudsman. Once the warrant is officially processed within our system, we will execute it accordingly.”
Reston, who is currently serving his second term in Barangay Matina Pangi, also holds the significant role of Chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). As the news of their arrest spread, both Reston and Robillo were placed under the custody of the Talomo Police Outpost.
When approached for comments, Kagawad Reston declined to provide a statement, saying he needed to consult their legal counsel before making any public remarks.
He expressed surprise over the case, emphasizing that even they were left uninformed about the warrant’s issuance and its subsequent execution.
Reston indicated that he and his colleague were completely unaware of the situation, as he emphasized the need for a lawyer to consult with and represent him before addressing the matter publicly. They expressed a desire to convene within the barangay after seeking legal counsel.
On February 7 to May 7, this year. the Office of the Ombudsman placed Reston and Robillo under preventive suspension.
Matina Pangi Baranga Captain Benjamin Badon, said “The primary concern lies in the lack of a quorum. The matter of graft and corruption was not raised. The absence of signatures was the pivotal issue, which will now be deliberated in court. Personally, I believe it was a mere oversight in signing.”
Reston and Robillo are currently tending to the necessary requirements for their temporary release.
