Policeman with ‘2 wives’ suspended

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’Policeman with ‘2 wives’ suspended’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
[/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Thursday, January 12, 2017
[/av_textblock]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]

ILOILO City – A police officer was slapped with a six-month suspension by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for marrying two women.

Senior Police Officer 1 Ronnie Billoned of Pilar, Capiz committed grave misconduct, according to the Napolcom.

The Commission took cognizance of the anonymous complaint filed against Billoned on Jan. 16, 2012.

According to the complaint, the first marriage was contracted in Dec. 30, 1991 in San Dionisio, Iloilo while the second one was made in Dec. 23, 1993 in Pilar town.

In his counter-affidavit, Billoned claimed his first marriage was declared null and void in special proceedings (No. SP 27-12) by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 in Roxas City before contracting his second marriage. Thus, he argued, the second one could not be considered as having been contracted in bad faith and be used as basis for holding him liable either criminally or administratively.

Billoned further asserted that the allegation did not constitute grave misconduct because his marriages had nothing to do with his performance as a police officer.

But Napolcom would have none of the police officer’s explanation. It found out that RTC Branch 14’s special proceedings declaring Billoned’s first marriage null and void was decided only on May 17, 2013.

“Even if he eventually obtained a declaration that his first marriage was void ab initio, the point is, both the first and second marriages were subsisting before the first marriage was annulled,” stressed Napolcom.

Under the law, a marriage – even one which is void or voidable – shall be deemed valid until declared otherwise in judicial proceedings, it stressed.

Napolcom found Billoned guilty of grave misconduct under Section 2 (c) (3) of Rule 21 of Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2007-001 on “any act or omission that constitutes a crime punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws.”

 

In a decision released only late last year, Napolcom also forfeited Billoned’s benefits while he is serving his suspension that would start this year./PN

[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here