MANILA, Philippines - After a decade of investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman has finally ordered the dismissal from government service of 24 officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who were tagged in the vehicle repair anomaly of 2001.
The anti-graft agency also slapped the respondents led by then administrative, manpower and management service director Burt Favorito with the accessory penalty of losing all their retirement benefits, cancellation of their civil service eligibility, and disqualification from holding public office.
The Office of the Ombudsman, in a decision issued on May 6, 2011 which The STAR was able to obtain a copy of yesterday, also disqualified them from holding public office after finding them guilty of serious administrative offenses.
Favorito and 23 other officials and personnel holding various positions from accountant to clerk were found guilty of serious dishonesty while five were found liable for gross neglect of duty.
Five were found guilty of simple neglect of duty and were meted month-long suspensions without pay while eight were found innocent.
The administrative case against them stemmed from a complaint filed by the Field Investigation Office (FIO) of the Office of the Ombudsman which accused Favorito and other DPWH officials and officers of spending millions in public funds for the supposed ghost repair of 192 vehicles, including nonexistent ones, ten years ago.
The respondents allegedly committed fraud by falsifying various documents like inspection reports, official receipts, and job order requests which led to the release of over P4.3 million in public funds.
Favorito and a handful of other DPWH officers are also facing trial for criminal offenses before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.
Meantime, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday said he has not yet received a copy of the Office of the Ombudsman’s order dismissing Favorito and 23 others.
Singson has been out of town since Wednesday.
He, along with top DPWH officials, attended a two-day seminar on values formation in Baguio City. - With Evelyn Macairan