State university president sacked for house improvements

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the top official of Cagayan State University (CSU) for using the state-run institution's resources for his own house's improvement.

In a nine-page joint resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the indictment of university president Roger Perez for malversation, indirect bribery and violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Morales said in a statement Wednesday that Perez utilized government materials, equipment, laborers and electricity for the construction of steel windows and steel staircase in his residence.

The resolution cited the CSU's security logbooks showing that laborers brought equipment and materials from the school warehouse to Perez's house in August 2006.

Perez himself took materials from the CSU storeroom to improve his home.

Perez was also charged of indirect bribery after March 2006 records pointed to Perez pocketing P140,000 from the purchase of P2.38 million worth of pre-cast gutter from Freyssinet Filipinas Corp.

"To aggravate matters, respondent Perez appears to have solicited and received in his own name the amount of P140,400 from Freyssinet," Carpio said.

The Ombudsman added that "Perez's singular act of receipt and acceptance of money is not sanctioned at all by law."

As president, he was prohibited to do business with a firm linked to the institution he serves.

Aside from facing criminal indictments, Perez was dismissed from the service and meted out the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and bar from taking civil service examinations.