- Petitioner
- Trinidad
- Respondent
- Ombudsman
- Citation
- G.R. No. 227440
- Court
- Office of the Ombudsman → Court of Appeals (CA) → Supreme Court (SC)
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- Lopez, J.
- Decided
- December 2, 2020
Summary
This administrative case involved Engineer II Ricardo Trinidad Jr. who was charged with gross negligence for signing workers' daily time records based solely on a subordinate's logbook, without verifying actual attendance. The workers were simultaneously employed in multiple government agencies, receiving multiple compensations. The Ombudsman and Court of Appeals found him guilty of gross negligence and imposed dismissal. However, the Supreme Court modified the decision, finding only simple negligence. The Court distinguished between criminal and administrative gross negligence, noting that gross negligence requires willful indifference while simple negligence involves mere carelessness. Considering this was Ricardo's first infraction and supervising the program was not his primary duty, the Court imposed a two-month suspension instead of dismissal. The case reinforces that public officers must exercise due diligence in all duties, regardless of their perceived importance, as public office is a public trust.