SC Affirms Dismissal of Airport Security Personnel Over P5,000 Bribe

MANILA, Philippines — An aviation security personnel lost his job for P5,000. Stating that integrity is non-negotiable in public office, the Supreme Court's (SC) Second Division through Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen said it did not find any reversible error on the part of the Court of Appeals in affirming the findings of the National Aviation Security Office. The appellate court had affirmed the decision of the National Aviation Security Office that found the security personnel guilty of grave misconduct and dishonesty. The Court of Appeals had ruled that the security personnel committed grave misconduct and dishonesty when he accepted P5,000 from a passenger in exchange for expediting the processing of her luggage. The SC agreed with the findings of the Court of Appeals and ruled that the security personnel's dismissal was justified. "Integrity is a non-negotiable value in public service," the SC said in its decision. "The acceptance of bribe money, no matter how small, is a serious offense that undermines public trust and the integrity of the government," it added. The SC said that the security personnel's act of accepting bribe money was a clear violation of the law and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. "The dismissal of the security personnel is a necessary consequence of his offense," the SC said. "The government has a duty to protect the public from corrupt officials and employees," it added. The SC said that it hopes the decision will serve as a deterrent to other public officials and employees who may be tempted to commit similar offenses.