No legal raps over MB ghost employee case - BSP

A year after the ghost employee scandal at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the two former Monetary Board (MB) members, Anita Linda Aquino and Bruce Tolentino, have not faced any charges.

- By KEISHA TA-ASAN

The central bank confirmed that no legal action was taken against Aquino and Tolentino, as the matter now lies with the Office of the President.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. clarified that while the issue was treated with the utmost seriousness by the central bank, it was ultimately resolved through the resignation of the two board members.

"I understand that case was settled by the fact that the (former Monetary Board members) stepped down, a rather heavy penalty in itself," Remolona told The STAR. "The matter as to the two MB members has been referred to the Office of the President, they being presidential appointees."

The scandal, which first emerged in late 2023, involved several employees who had been absent from their posts but were still receiving salaries.

Four "ghost employees" were dismissed after internal investigations, with penalties that included the cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The BSP said the administrative proceedings against the two senior staffers, who approved the falsified attendance records, were extended after new evidence was presented to challenge the charges.

Once these proceedings are concluded, the case will be forwarded to the Monetary Board for approval.