- Petitioner
- Ombudsman
- Respondent
- Dionisio
- Citation
- G.R. No. 220700
- Court
- From Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon to Court of Appeals (CA) to Supreme Court (SC)
- Division
- First Division
- Ponente
- Perlas-Bernabe, J.
- Decided
- July 10, 2017
Summary
Public school officials were charged with grave misconduct for entering unauthorized lease agreement and misappropriating funds. School Principal Dionisio and Teachers' Association President Molina received P1.28 million from complainants for school grounds lease without proper DepEd approval. The Ombudsman initially found simple misconduct but upgraded to grave misconduct upon reconsideration, imposing dismissal. The Court of Appeals downgraded back to simple misconduct, finding good faith. The Supreme Court reversed, finding grave misconduct established through clear intent to violate law and flagrant disregard of established rules governing public property lease, procurement procedures, and public fund accountability. The case emphasizes that noble intentions cannot excuse blatant violations of laws and regulations designed to ensure transparency and accountability in government operations.