G.R. No. 235418, March 03, 2021.
FACTS:
Suba and Navida were charged for violating Section 3(e) of R.A. No. 3019 for acting with evident bad faith, manifest partiality, and/or gross inexcusable negligence for requesting, facilitating and receiving cash advances worth P241,478.68 for their trip to Beijing and proceed thereto “despite fully knowing the existence of a letter/order from the [DOTC] denying their application for a travel authority.”
Suba argues that there was no evidence that he knew of the lack of travel authority at the time he joined Navida in the Beijing conference. There was also no bad faith, ill motive or fraud on his part because when he processed the cash advances, he was merely following the directive of his superior. He and Navida actually attended the conference in Beijing on aircraft maintenance which was relevant to their posts in PADC. Suba further advances that he already settled the amount of P241,478.68, which negates the element of damage or injury to the government.