G.R. No. 240124 - Alarilla vs. Lorenzo

Petitioner Joan V. Alarilla is a former city mayor of Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Eduardo Alarilla, the petitioner’s husband and former mayor, previously served from 1992 to 2007 and was later involved as General Consultant under the petitioner’s administration.

During a period from July to August 2007, the petitioner approved the disbursement of 41 checks drawn from the Municipality’s funds.
The checks were issued as payments to LC San Pascual Construction Supply and VSP Trading and General Merchandise for purported goods and services allegedly delivered.
It was later contended that no such goods or services were actually rendered.

On January 18, 2008, Rolando L. Lorenzo filed a complaint against the petitioner and Eduardo alleging grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation through falsification of public documents.
The complaint accused the petitioner of misappropriating P5,130,329.14 by approving payments for undelivered goods and services.
On May 7, 2008, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) issued an order for the parties to submit counter-affidavits; the petitioner and Eduardo complied on July 9, 2008.
Subsequent procedural orders directed the parties to file their respective position papers and additional evidence.

On November 2, 2016, the OMB rendered a Decision finding the petitioner administratively liable for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.

The Decision imposed the penalty of dismissal from the service along with accessory penalties (cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from re-employment).
The complaint against Eduardo was dismissed due to his term having expired and his subsequent demise.

The OMB Decision was approved on December 16, 2016, and a Motion for Reconsideration filed by the petitioner was denied on March 1, 2017.

On June 29, 2017, the petitioner filed a Petition for Review with the CA, seeking reversal of the OMB Decision and alleging a violation of her right to the speedy disposition of her case.
In the CA Decision dated January 30, 2018, the CA affirmed the OMB ruling finding the petitioner guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty, and dismissed the petitioner’s claim regarding the alleged delay.
A subsequent Motion for Reconsideration filed on March 2, 2018 was denied by the CA in its Resolution dated June 6, 2018.

Dissatisfied with the CA ruling, the petitioner elevated the case by filing a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.
The petitioner reiterated her claims of inordinate delay and maintained that all proper procedures for procurement and fund disbursement were complied with, thereby contesting her administrative liability.

Whether the petitioner’s constitutional right to the speedy disposition of her case was violated as a result of the prolonged delay by the OMB.

Whether the evidence supports the finding that the petitioner is administratively liable for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty regarding the disbursement of public funds.