Probe on against DPWH exec
DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Cordillera officer in charge Tiburcio Canlas assured an investigation is ongoing for Ifugao District Engineer Lorna Ricardo.
Ricardo has been slammed by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) for allegations of corruption caught on tape and used as evidence to build a case against her.
“The case is already with the legal service and they will issue today the show cause order to de Lorna,” Canlas said.
Ricardo hit national headlines for allegedly asking for millions from a contractor of a road project in Ifugao.
Canlas said Ricardo was already placed on preventive suspension while under investigation”so that she cannot influence said investigation.”
PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica made the video public showing Ricardo allegedly demanding P10 million from a contractor to ensure the awarding of the Lagawe-Caba-Ponghal Road Development Project.
Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat welcomed the probe of alleged corruption in road projects. [See related story on page 2].
In Ifugao, anti-corruption advocate Citizens Crime Watch – Cordillera Administrative Region alleged that Ricardo and other DPWH officials formed a clique which displaced dedicated and hardworking Igorot engineers so they could pursue questionable transactions.
At the start of the year the PACC cited the DPWH as one of the most corrupt office in government with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs.
DPWH secretary Mark Villar has pledged to take action on the matter and called on the public to report anomalies to the DPWH hotline.