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MANILA: The Supreme Court on Monday said it has dismissed from the service three employees of the Court of Appeals (CA) who were twice tested positive for drug use. In a per curiam decision, the Court En Banc found court workers Garry U. Caliwan, Edmundo T. Malit, and Frederick C. Mauricio, administratively liable for the serious charge of use of illegal drugs or substances. In 2022, the three tested positive for shabu in a random drug test conducted by the CA. The result of the random drug test was confirmed by an accredited laboratory facility by the Department of Health-Dangerous Drugs Board. The Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) recommended to the Court En Banc that Caliwan, Malit, and Mauricio be found guilty of the use of illegal drugs or substances and dismissed from the service accordingly. In Mauricio's case, the JIB, noting his early retirement, recommended that he be sanctioned with the accessory penalties of forfeiture of his retirement benefits, except accrued leave credits, and perpetual disqua lification from public office in lieu of dismissal from the service. The Court clarified that the use of prohibited drugs now falls under the serious charge of possession and/or use of illegal drugs or substances, not grave misconduct, when it is committed by members, officials, employees, and personnel of the Judiciary, as governed by Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, as amended. Source: Philippines News Agency