Cavite: The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a court sheriff who was found to have accepted PHP200,000 in connection with a drug case. The SC en banc dismissed Dwight Aldwin Geronimo, Sheriff IV of Branch 121, Regional Trial Court, Imus City, Cavite, revoked all his retirement benefits, and permanently banned him from government employment.

According to Philippines News Agency, the dismissal was based on court records, which indicated that complainant Antolyn Dones Gonzales accused Geronimo of soliciting PHP200,000 to expedite the drug case of her friend, Monib Saadoning Amatonding. Geronimo allegedly claimed that the judge handling the case was his aunt and assured Gonzales that Monib would be granted bail. Gonzales initially paid PHP115,000, with the rest to be settled after the case concluded. However, after Monib's bail was denied, Geronimo vanished, blocking Gonzales on Facebook and changing his phone number.

In his defense, Geronimo first stated the money was a personal loan, later asserting that he was pretending to agree with Gonzales to expose alleged corruption within the court. The Judicial Integrity Board found Geronimo guilty of gross misconduct and recommended his dismissal, a decision upheld by the SC.

The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of integrity among court personnel, citing Section 1, Canon I of the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel, which prohibits the use of position for personal gain, and Section 2, which forbids accepting gifts that could influence official actions.

The court highlighted that such actions constitute gross misconduct, defined as unlawful behavior or gross negligence by a public officer coupled with elements of corruption, or willful intent to violate the law or disregard established rules. Geronimo's admission of receiving money as a personal loan was deemed irrelevant, as accepting money from someone with a pending case is prohibited under the Code.

Given the serious nature of Geronimo's conduct and his prior record of misconduct, the SC imposed the ultimate penalty of dismissal. The court reminded all court employees of their duty to exemplify responsibility, competence, and efficiency, performing their roles with the utmost care as officers of the court and agents of the law.