(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
This was stressed by the Sandiganbayan in its decision that settled the legal issue on the existence of “ghost employees” in office of the late Quezon City Councilor Francisco Calalay Jr.
The decision, written by Associate Justice Kevin Narce B. Vivero, acquitted Executive Officer and Liaison Officer Flordeliza A. Alvarez, dubbed as “Calalay’s Girl Friday,” of graft and 18 falsification charges.
Calalay and Alvarez were indicted for hiring “ghost employees” from January to November 2010. More than P2.17 million in public funds was released by Calalay for them.
Only Alvarez stood trial with the death of Calalay in 2016.