San Fernando, Pampanga — The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor has formally charged Rex De Leon Calma, a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Mexico, Pampanga, with falsification of a public document, in violation of Article 172 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). The case, docketed under NPS No. III-12-INV-24H-01237, was filed on August 27, 2024, following the discovery of falsified educational credentials submitted by Calma for his promotion to Supply Officer III in the Municipality of Mexico.

The investigation revealed that Calma, while serving as an Administrative Aide I in 2015, applied for the position of Supply Officer III, submitting documents including a Personal Data Sheet (PDS), diploma, and transcript of records (TOR) claiming he held a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Holy Angel University. Upon verification, the university confirmed that these documents, along with his stated enrollment from 1991 to 1995, were falsified. Calma was actually enrolled as a transferee in a different program, Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, from 1996 to 1999.

Further investigation revealed that Calma had used these falsified documents to secure a second-level civil service eligibility in 2014, while serving as a Sanggunian member. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has since revoked this eligibility upon learning of the falsification.

Despite several opportunities, Calma declined to submit a counter-affidavit. Based on the evidence, the DOJ found prima facie evidence to charge Calma under Article 172 of the RPC for falsification by a public employee without taking advantage of his position. The penalty for this offense includes prision correccional in its medium to maximum period, with a fine not exceeding PHP 1,000,000. The DOJ recommended bail for Calma at PHP 36,000.

This case underscores the DOJ’s commitment to upholding integrity in public service and ensuring that falsification of official records is met with appropriate legal consequences.