10 school officials face sanctions over Palaro scam

At least 10 school officials face sanctions for their alleged involvement in the faking of birth certificates and registering of different names of athletes controversy that marred the May 2006 Palarong Pambansa (National Games). Already, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said he is preparing the preventive suspension order against the 10 school officials. “I will sign today the preventive suspension order of the accused…then formal charges - administrative and criminal - would be filed next before the Office of the Ombudsman," Lapus said. Lapus, however, said he has yet to meet with Undersecretary Franklin Sunga of the legal and legislative affairs to determine the appropriate disciplinary action to be imposed on the erring school officials. In a 20-page fact-finding report, Sunga and his team that looked into the Palaro controversy had recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the school officials for violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials. If proven guilty, the accused stand to be meted a jail term of up to five years and dismissal from government service. Those to be charged are Rey Anthony H. Sorronda, teacher 1 of Nato National High School in Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte; Orlando B. Abuyen, substitute teacher of Catbalogan II Central Elementary School in Catbalogan, Samar ; Manolito A. Rejano, teacher of Malanay District in Quezon; Hilda C. Ladaga, Grade VI adviser of Kalasan Elementary School in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Norte. Others are Ruperto O. Dayo, principal of Kalasan Elementary School in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Norte; Getta Galo and Anafe Colita, Grade V teacher and teacher, respectively, of Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Lydia Carumba, teacher of Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School-SPED in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Virgie H. Sorronda, district supervisor of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Renegio G, Luy, principal of SPDSP-SPED; and Marietta Opulencia, chief of EED/Athletic manager of Region IV-A. “There are only 10 who are to be charged because one of them had already resigned from the service," Sunga said, but added that the concerned person could not escape criminal liabilities. Sunga did not identify the said school official. The probe team also recommended that all involved coaches and athletes be banned perpetually from all DepEd-sponsored sports events. The athletes are Jonquil M. Cabanas, Nicodemus N. Baconawa, Alexis O. Clemente and Rolando P. Aguilar, all students of Samar National High School in Catbalogan, Samar; college students Nelson Abuntao and a certain Dingdong; Ryldred B. Mag-sao and Eddie Ugdamina, of Sindangan National Agricultural School in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Kevin Rojonan and Melvin Mazo, of Sindangan National High School in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Raniel B. Osmillo; Ranel A. Loyola; Jayson A. fetalcorin; Mark A. Rocha; Roberto O. Calderon; and Mark Lester E. Garbo. -GMANews.TV