DAVAO CITY (October 1) — For granting his brother’s six months leave with pay, the Sandiganbayan sentenced former Mahinog, Camiguin Municipal Mayor Alex Rullon Jajalla to a minimum of six years in jail.
The case stemmed in 2008, when Jajalla approved his brother’s leave of absence but granted him the benefits which violates the anti-graft and corrupt practices act,
Jajalla granted the rehabilitation leave with pay to his brother, Misael Jajalla, who got injured in a motorcycle accident while supposedly on government duty as a security officer.
Misael was allowed to go on leave from July to December 2008, and received a total of around P69,336 in salaries for the period.
The Sandiganbayan found Jajalla, guilty of graft for giving “unwarranted benefits” to his brother at the expense of the local government.
But contrary to the former mayor’s claim that his brother was en route to serve as an advance party for him, evidence showed that Misael was with his family on their way to church when they collided with another motorcycle.
“If Misael was supposed to perform an official function providing security to accused, why did he bring along his wife and two daughters there?” the court said.
The approval of Misael’s leave with pay thus showed “gross inexcusable negligence,” said the Sandiganbayan.
In its 35-page ruling dated Sept. 24, 2018, the anti-graft court also disqualified the mayor from holding public office for life.-Jian A. Padillo/NewsLine.ph
