A former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) examiner will spend at least six years in prison after an anti-graft court definitively upheld his conviction for corruption. Braulio Adolfo Cloribel, Jr. exploited his position to enrich himself, engaging in a clandestine scheme that betrayed the public trust.
The Sandiganbayan’s special sixth division meticulously reviewed the case, ultimately rejecting Cloribel’s appeal. The court found overwhelming evidence demonstrating his deliberate manipulation of the Rural Bank of Sapang Dalaga (RBSD), leveraging his authority as a BSP examiner for personal gain.
Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez, writing for the court, described Cloribel’s actions as a “cunningly orchestrated scheme.” He falsely presented himself as a benefactor to the RBSD, subtly threatening potential sanctions from the BSP if his demands weren’t met. This abuse of power allowed him to funnel illicit funds into his own pockets.
Following an audit in late 2005, Cloribel systematically collected monthly fees of P5,000, accumulating a total of P103,500. This was achieved through a third-party entity, Prudential Consulting Firm, masking the direct flow of money from the bank to the corrupt official.
Central bank employees are explicitly prohibited from taking on consultancy roles, a rule Cloribel brazenly disregarded. The court’s decision underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards within the financial sector and protecting institutions from internal corruption.
Beyond the prison sentence of six years and one month to seven years, Cloribel faces perpetual disqualification from holding any public office. He is also ordered to compensate the lender for damages, channeled through the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., ensuring some measure of restitution for the harm caused.
