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ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
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ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 323 -
IMPOSING THE PENALTY OF SIX MONTHS SUSPENSION FROM SERVICE ON MENANDRO
GALENZOGA, CHIEF OF MISSION II, DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
This refers to the 02 May 1996
administrative case filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs against
Mr. Menandro Galenzoga, Chief of Mission II, based on the complaints of
Consul Grace Escalante, Foreign Service Officer II, Mr. Socrates
Lucila, Foreign Service Staff Officer II, and Ms. Gaudiosa Garcia,
Foreign Service Staff Employee III, all of the Philippine Embassy in
Cairo.
Ambassador Galenzoga was charged
for dishonesty, conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of the
service and violation of the Civil Service Rules and government
accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Specifically, Ambassador
Galenzoga was charged for the following: a) receiving $17,000.00 in the
form of cash advances for per diems and allowances; and b) duty-free
importation of two Mercedes Benz cars in conspiracy with embassy
employees who were not entitled thereto.
On 08 May 1996, the Board of
Foreign Service Administration (BFSA) created an Investigating
Committee to hear the case. In the four hearings conducted, Ambassador
Galenzoga chose not to be represented by counsel.
On 09 August 1996, Ambassador
Galenzoga was found guilty of dishonesty and conduct grossly
prejudicial to the interest of the service.
On the first charge, the
Committee applied the Rules on Travel, as provided in Executive Order
No. 248, series of 1995, and implemented by Department Orders 30-95 and
32-95. Under the rules, Foreign Service Officers and employees,
whenever authorized to travel to Manila, are entitled to travel rates
of three hundred pesos per one full stay in Manila, not to exceed one
(1) month, or, when approved by the Secretary, not to exceed three (3)
months. The Committee found that, granting the respondent stayed in
Manila for forty-one days, he should only be entitled to twelve
thousand (P12,000.00) pesos or US$477.00 cash advance. The $17,000.00
cash advance he received was clearly over and beyond the allowable
limit and is considered unconscionable and unlawful expenditure under
Sec. 166 of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual.
On the second charge, the
Committee found that two casual employees of the embassy, namely,
Messrs. Edio and Mustapha were able to bring to Egypt two (2) Mercedes
Benz cars which, with the connivance of the respondent, were imported
free of duties and taxes. Such activity would have easily caused
embarrassment to the Mission, and the Philippine government, had the
same been discovered by the host country.
After a careful review of the
case, this Office affirms the factual findings made by the
Investigating Committee. It was established by sufficient evidence, not
refuted by the respondent, that he obtained cash advances far beyond
the allowable limit and conspired in the unauthorized duty-free
importation of two luxury vehicles.
As the country's official
representative abroad, respondent is at all times expected to act
beyond reproach. As the role model of the Filipinos residing in the
country where he is assigned, respondent should, at the very least,
ensure his faithful compliance with the law. It is unfortunate that
respondent fell short of the demands of his office and acted in a
manner adversely affecting the image, not only of his Office, but also
of his country. The infractions constitute conduct grossly prejudicial
to the best interest of the service which, in accordance with Sec. 22 (t), Rule XIV of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of Executive
Order 292, series of 1987, carries a corresponding penalty of
suspension from office for six months and one day to one year.
WHEREFORE, in view of the
foregoing, this Office hereby orders the SUSPENSION from service of
respondent Menandro Galenzoga for six months, effective upon receipt of
this Order. He is further ordered to immediately refund the excessive
cash advances he obtained in contravention of the applicable rules.
SO ORDERED.
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