Ombudsman suspends DPWH exec

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed a ranking official of the Department of Public Works and Highways based in the Cordillera Administrative Region for extorting money from a construction firm in 2005.

In an 11-page decision signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, DPWH-CAR Assistant Regional Director Daniel Domingo was found guilty of grave misconduct and violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for demanding and receiving money from Camia Construction in connection with the projects awarded by the DPWH.

In an affidavit, Jocelyn Fawas, cashier and cost engineer of construction firm, said that she came to know of Domingo’s extortion when her employer, Engineer Vito Loyon ordered her to deposit various amounts totaling P211,000 to the DPWH official's bank accounts, from January to July 2005.

Fawas presented photocopies of deposit slips, a check deposited in the bank account of Domingo and disbursement vouchers of Camia Construction.

Domingo was chairman of the DPWH-CAR Bids and Awards Committee which awarded government projects to Camia Construction.

“Respondent is a public officer whose primordial duty is to serve the public with utmost sincerity, justness and honesty. Thus any act of corruption and extortion … does not only taint the name of the respondent, but public service as well,” the decision read.

Section 7 of RA 6713 prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting “directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

Aside from being dismissed from the service, Domingo was meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification to hold public office and forfeiture of all his retirement benefits.