DPWH officials to draft vehicle repair guidelines

Two weeks after the supposed deadline to come up with added measures to prevent the recurrence of the vehicle repair scam, the two Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, initially tagged negligent in preventing it, are yet to come up with new repair guidelines. The formulation of stricter measures are supposed to be their punishment instead.

Undersecretaries Edmund Mir and Mabini Pablo have not reportedly come out with new rules regarding the reimbursement irregularity as they appear preoccupied with other matters. The STAR tried to reach the two officials but Mir was reportedly on leave while Pablo was unavailable. The two were formally reinstated a month ago by President Arroyo through the efforts of Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo and DPWH Secretary Simeon Datumanong last Oct. 7. Mir and Pablo were in suspension for two months prior to their exoneration by the President.

"They (Mir and Pablo) have not really found time to discuss the new measures, there is just no time because they are both busy," explained Mir’s staffer Yolly Soriquez. Pablo’s personnel gave a similar explanation.

Based on the Sept. 27 memorandum of Romulo recommending their reinstatement, the two officials "are required therefore to jointly draft a Department Order instituting additional controls to prevent the recurrence of the irregularities to be completed 15 days upon the President’s approval of this recommendation."

The President affixed her approval of the memorandum on Sept. 30 putting the deadline for the supposed new-measures on Oct. 15.

Sources said that Pablo was only able to return to work two weeks ago as he was abroad when the suspension was lifted while Mir began work as soon as the President approved their exoneration. Mir, however, reportedly went on leave last week. – Jose Arravilla