The Supreme Court has vindicated former Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, ruling that she bore no liability for the disbursement of nearly ₱877,000 in emergency assistance given to FDCP employees during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision marks a clear affirmation that public service, when carried out with compassion in extraordinary times, deserves recognition.
In a decision released last week, the Court set aside a 2021 Commission on Audit (COA) notice of disallowance that had ordered Diño and other officials to return the funds to government coffers.
The justices emphasized that the financial aid, covering healthcare support, food, and essential supplies, was provided in good faith and under extraordinary circumstances.
“Petitioners cannot be deemed to have blatantly violated the applicable rules, especially considering the exceptional circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the ruling stated. “A public official who acted on reasonable grounds is presumed to have done so in good faith.”
The Court further noted that the FDCP’s program responded to urgent needs that existing government benefits, such as PhilHealth coverage, did not address. By enabling employees to seek preventive care and immediate treatment, the fund provided what the justices described as a “protective mechanism” for workers at risk during a national emergency.
In a statement, Diño welcomed the ruling as both a personal and institutional victory.
“This case was never just about numbers on a balance sheet—it was about humanity in a time of crisis,” her legal team said.
Diño, who served as FDCP chair from 2016 until 2022, has since taken on leadership of the Quezon City Film Commission.
