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Are there other government officials who have lied about their qualifications?
“In a 20-page decision promulgated last April 20, the Sandiganbayan found Filomeno Vicencio Jr. — former head of the Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) — guilty beyond reasonable doubt of falsification after Ombudsman prosecutors proved that he lied in his Personal Data Sheet (PDS) about being a graduate of the University of the East (UE),” reports ABS-CBNnews.com.
The report noted: “Vicencio was appointed on May 26, 2009 and assumed the position of BOC Director III on June 10, 2009. On June 16, 2009, he submitted his PDS to the human resource office, indicating therein that he graduated from UE in 1969.”
Witnesses’ accounts and documents presented by the prosecutors proved that Vicencio was never a student nor a graduate of UE.
Aside from being sentenced a minimum of six months and one day up to a maximum of six years and one day in prison, Vicencio was meted out a fine of PHP1,000.
The Sandiganbayan explained that “Vicencio’s disclosure in his PDS of where and when he obtained his bachelor’s degree is vital since it ‘renders him qualified for the position.'”
Photo: UNTV screengrab
