Ombudsman orders DPWH execs: 'Explain P3.8M graft raps'
Iloilo -- An order has now been issued by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas calling for the official reply of top officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here over the criminal and administrative raps filed by an Ilongga contractor.
Yet another order was also issued to a co-respondent, the Chief of Staff of Senator Sergio Osmeña III who was likewise included in the complaint courtesy of an unrealized infrastructure project supposedly all set for awarding.
The twin complaints were given due course by the anti-graft body that had respondent-DPWH officials, District Engineer Teodoro Castillo and Accountant Conrado Sorongon Jr. bid for more time saying they are still trying to look for counsel. The duo's co-respondent is John De Jesus, top aide of Senator Osmeña.
Tagged as the "Case of the Missing and evaporating P3.8 million," complainant Elena Malaga averred that government funds were suddenly made unavailable. Such was her primary reason for hurling the trio before the anti-graft body while she asked for clarification, "what happened to the money?"
Alongside the complaints came the request for the preventive suspension of the two DPWH Western Visayas executives.
Filed through counsel lawyer Cornelio Panes, Malaga's complaint stemmed from one infrastructure project entered into and eventually won valued over P3.8 million. Yet as the period for project awarding neared, none was made later discovered by Malaga to have been reportedly caused by a verbal instruction from said respondent-Senator's chief of staff.
"District Engineer Castillo did not give any reason for his refusal to award the P3,857.324.20 contract to me. Actually, I discovered that District Engineer Castillo was communicating with the Chief of Staff of Sen. Osmeña," Malaga in her sworn statement said.
Excerpts of the said letter addressed to the Senator though stated Castillo's acknowledgment of a previous letter that requests withholding of the project's awarding.
Further still is yet another evidence which Malaga submitted alongside documents and letters that proved her allegations among which the January 25th letter of the District Engineer addressed to the Senator himself.
"In compliance with your verbal instruction relative to the funding source of the projects covered by SARO Nos. A-05-04773 and ROCS 05-05380 dated October 7 and November 9, 2005, respectively, funded from RA 9206 as Re-enacted Continuing Appropriations, attached herewith is the certification that the corresponding funds are no longer available," excerpts of the letter as presented to the Ombudsman stated.
"District Engineer Castillo has no moral duty and obligation to abide by the instructions of a mere chief of staff of a senator because as District Engineer his bible is RA 9184 and not the chief of staff's verbal instruction," Malaga continued.
The accountant for his part was charged for what Malaga said was the commission of perjury when he issued a certification that the P3.8 million was not obligated.
"Therefore, District Engineer Castillo and Accountant Sorongon conspired with John Osmeña de Jesus in manipulating the appropriations," she argued.
The request for preventive suspension was made amidst the complainant-contractor's concern of influence and the threat it poses to the safety and integrity of the records and other evidences.