DPWH official to appeal Ombudsman dismissal order

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), who was among those tagged in the P4.3-million vehicle repair scam, yesterday said he would appeal the dismissal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against him.

DPWH-Administrative, Manpower and Management Service director Burt Favorito said he would file a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals (CA) either Monday or Tuesday.

He said he would also be filing a motion for reconsideration with the ombudsman.

“The natural tendency is for me to file a motion for reconsideration before the ombudsman and to file a petition before the CA because there are serious allegations that are not true, such as the reason why I was included in the case was because I signed the requisite form, that I conspired. But I know the whole story and I know myself and I would not conspire (in a scam). These are not founded. These are not true,” Favorito said.

The ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Favorito and 12 others for serious dishonesty. It also ordered the dismissal of four other DPWH personnel for neglect of duty.

In accordance with the rules on administrative cases of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), dismissed government officials and employees would have the following accessory penalties: cancellation of eligibility; forfeiture of retirement benefits; and disqualification to re-enter public office.

The ombudsman also directed DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson to implement the dismissal order and to submit a compliance report within five days from its receipt.

Favorito said he was surprised to hear about the ombudsman’s decision last Friday, while he, along with other DPWH officials, were in Baguio for a two-day seminar on Values Formation.

“In fact, it is ironic because it was our group that is implementing the moral recovery program of the department, I am even one of the training directors. It is difficult because I am the one implementing on what is the right thing to do but I am the one dragged in the controversy,” he added.

He said Singson was also with them in Baguio City, but they did not discuss the case.

“I think the Secretary already has a copy. The decision of the ombudsman is only recommendatory and it is up to the secretary to implement it. As a matter of course, the secretary should implement it. I would not have any objection, I understand the situation.”

The administrative case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Field Investigation Office of the Office of the Ombudsman that accused Favorito and other DPWH officials of spending millions in public funds for the supposed ghost repair of 192 vehicles, including nonexistent ones, in 2001.

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 said he signed the requisite forms in good faith. He added that it was the job of the Special Inspectorate Team to monitor these requests for vehicle repairs and check if there were duplications.