Malacañang fires head of RP aerospace development for graft

Malacañang has fired Philippine Aerospace Development Corp. (PADC) president Roberto Navida for committing what officials said were several irregularities including falsification of public documents, malversation of public funds and unlawful appointments.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, by authority of President Arroyo, approved the recommendation of Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) chairwoman Constancia de Guzman on March 1.

"Every public servant must always think of the general welfare and the integrity of the organization he represents first and foremost – over and above his personal interests," De Guzman said in a statement.

Navida’s case stemmed from a letter-complaint filed by concerned PADC employees on Dec. 7, 2005 to the Office of then Presidential Assistant Ricardo Saludo. The following month, the complaint was endorsed to PAGC by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

The PAGC investigation team found the defendant guilty of the following violations: forging of various receipts to pad his reimbursements; employment of his son Robert Alain Navida and several other personnel to key PADC posts whose appointments were disapproved by the Civil Service Commission; engaging the services of Vision Motors as mechanics and consultants on all vehicle repair and maintenance needs of PADC without proper and competitive bidding; tampering with the date of an arrival form to avoid refund of excess in travel allowance; and failing to return his representation allowance for the same trip which was reportedly disapproved by the Office of the President.

In the course of the investigation, PAGC also uncovered several other misdeeds of the respondent including the use of PADC Corporate LandBank Visa credit card in at least two occasions for personal purchases during an official trip to Hong Kong and grocery shopping at Duty Free Philippines, and unlawful allocation of gasoline allowances for vehicles privately owned by several PADC officials.

Based on above findings, Navida was held liable for violation of several provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019); Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713); the Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government (RA 9184); pertinent provisions of Executive Order 292 on dishonesty, misconduct, falsification of official document and nepotism; and Articles 244 (unlawful appointments) and 217 (Malversation of Public Funds or Property) of the Revised Penal Code, she said.

The penalty of dismissal from service has corresponding accessory penalties, which include cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of leave credits and retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

On top of the abovementioned administrative sanctions, Navida would also be facing criminal charges for violation of Articles 244 and 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

"With this case, we would like to reiterate once again that at PAGC, we will concede at nothing to ensure that public offices will not be abused for personal and private gains," De Guzman said. – Paolo Romero