Ombudsman orders dismissal of 6 COA auditors for irregular bonuses

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday ordered the dismissal of six Commission on Audit (COA) auditors for grave misconduct after receiving additional compensation and bonuses from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) from 2006 to 2010.

State auditors Juanito Daguno Jr., Proceso Saavedra, Teresita Tam, Corazon Cabotage, Evangeline Sison and Vilma Tiongson were dismissed and perpetually disqualified for reemployment in government service. Their eligibility for benefits was also canceled.

Data machine operators Violeta Gamil and Roberto Villa were also dismissed.

Meanwhile, LWUA executives Lorenzo Jamora, Wilfredo Feleo, Orlando Hondrade and Daniel Landingin were found guilty of simple misconduct and were ordered suspended without pay for six months.

Investigation showed that the LWUA executives approved the issuance of checks covering irregular bonuses for LWUA and COA personnel from 2006 to 2010 amounting to 25 million.

The irregular bonuses were allegedly given to the following LWUA and COA personnel:

• Edna Anical - P789,000
• Thelma Baldovino - P886,000
• Evelyn De Leon - P517,000
• Juanito Daguno Jr. - P615,000
• Nestorio Ferrera - P961,000
• Violeta Gamil - P834,000
• Zoharayda Obog - P658,000
• Ligaya Principio - P642,000
• Jesusa Punsalan - P602,000
• Proceso Saavedra - P692,000
• Paulino Sarmiento - P703,000
• Teresita Tam - P592,000
• Roberto Villa - P650,000
• Corazon Cabotage - P542,000
• Evangeline Sison - P183,000
• Vilma Tiongson - P164,000

The resolution stated that "the amount given were huge and arbitrary," such that a COA machine assigned at LWUA received as much as P140,000 and P43,000 in November 2006 alone.

"Their patent disregard of the existing policy of their own institution against the practice of receiving additional compensation cannot be deemed a mere lapse of judgment. Respondents, being state auditors and employees of COA itself, are presumed to know the prohibition," the resolution said.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said that government auditors and employees were motivated by malicious intent to favor self-interest at the expense of the public.