Ombudsman urged to act on graft cases vs MWSS execs

MANILA, Philippines - Fearing a whitewash, employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System yesterday asked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to speed up the resolution of at least 11 different graft cases they filed against MWSS officials. 

According to the complainants, they have received information from an insider at the Office of the Ombudsman that certain officials of the anti-graft body are supposedly working to delay the investigation of the complaints in favor of the respondents.

 One of latest cases filed against MWSS administrator Gerardo Esquivel Jr. and other officials involved the hiring of more than 40 consultants in violation of an existing moratorium on the hiring of new employees with monthly salaries ranging from P50,000 to P400,000.

The Commission on Audit  said the consultants were hired for positions already being undertaken by regular employees.

 MWSS Labor Association leader Napoleon Quinones appealed to Morales to allay their fears of a whitewash by issuing preventive suspension orders against Esquivel and his fellow respondents.

Quinones said the MWSS officials might try to use their positions and resources to pressure officials of the ombudsman to dismiss the cases.

 â€œWe want to call the attention of Ombudsman Morales. She must look into the graft cases we filed in her office,” he said.

 â€œShe must likewise order the suspension of Esquivel and his co-accused while they are being investigated. It is unfair to the Filipino people if these people remain in their posts when they are being probed for graft,” Quinones added.

Meanwhile, a consumer group lauded the action of Rene Villa, former head of the Local Water Utilities Administration, who resigned after being accused of corruption.