Manila official faces dismissal for dishonesty

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed from the service and ordered the filing of perjury charges yesterday against a ranking official of the city government of Manila for untruthful statements in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN).

The anti-graft body found Engineer Saturnino Asis Disu, assistant Department Head III for the locality’s Engineering and Public Works Department (DEPW), guilty of dishonesty.

In a 10-page ruling, Ombudsman probers said he failed to declare in his SALNs from 1999 to 2005 a 319-square meter residential land in Bolasi, San Fabian, Pangasinan. Records showed that Disu started his career in government as a laborer at the DPEW and rose from the ranks until he was promoted to his current position on March 11, 2003.

Investigation revealed that he failed to declare the property which he purchased on March 29, 1999 for six consecutive years. Instead, he declared under oath in his SALNs that a residential house and lot in Bacoor, Cavite was his only real property.

In his counter-affidavit, Disu did not deny that he acquired, by purchase, the said property but claimed that it was his honest belief that ownership over the said property has not been consolidated in his name inasmuch as the property is not yet titled under his name.

The Office of the Ombudsman, however, ruled that “ownership over the subject unregistered lot dates back to the date of purchase on March 29, 1999 when the Deed of Absolute Sale of Unregistered land was executed by the seller and the buyer – herein respondent and his spouse. Upon the execution of the contract, the buyer acquired ownership over the property purchased.”

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has been directed to implement the decision dismissing Disu from government service and to promptly submit a compliance report within five days from receipt.

Apart from perjury, the Office of the Ombudsman said the official will be charged for violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees.