The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the dismissal of a former police official found guilty of grave misconduct for extorting P5,000 from an airport passenger, reiterating that long service cannot mitigate penalties for government corruption.

In a 14-page decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and published 14 September, the Supreme Court Second Division upheld administrative rulings against former Police Senior Superintendent Amador Hernandez, an aviation security officer stationed at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in 2011.

The ruling affirmed the forfeiture of Hernandez’s retirement and other benefits, as well as his perpetual disqualification from holding public office or government employment.

“The established facts place petitioner’s actions squarely within the scope of grave misconduct,” the SC ruled, finding that Hernandez used his position to extort money from a traveler.

The court rejected Hernandez’s defense that his dismissal was disproportionate, describing his arguments as baseless and stating his actions demonstrated a lack of fitness for public service.