19 govt execs dismissed

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the dismissal from government service of 19 officials from state-owned agencies.

The 19 respondents are also facing trial before the Sandiganbayan for multiple counts of violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and malversation.

They were found liable for various administrative offenses such as grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In case the penalty can no longer be implemented due to separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to the respondent’s one year salary.

The Ombudsman said the 19 officials were found to have conspired with lawmakers in the anomalous utilization of the PDAF of former congressmen Salacnib Baterina, Prospero Nograles, Marc Douglas Cagas IV and Thomas Dumpit, Jr.

Ordered perpetually dismissed from government service were: Jennifer Karen Lagbas and Danilo Jamito; representatives Alan Javellana, Encarnita Cristina Munsod, Romulo Relevo, and Rhodora Mendoza of the defunct National Agribusiness Corporation; Gondelina Amata, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Ofelia Ordoñez, and Sofia Cruz of the National Livelihood Development Corporation; Dennis Cunanan, Marivic Jover, Belina Concepcion, and Maurine Dimaranan of Technology Resource Center; Filipina Rodriguez, Chita Jalandoni, Gregoria Buenaventura and Elsie Walican.

The anti-graft prosecutors said the multi-million peso PDAF projects were found to be “ghost projects.”

In the Ombudsman’s field investigation, it was discovered that many of the livelihood project beneficiaries denied receipt of the livelihood technology kits/materials, grafted seedlings, hand tractors and water pumps.

The reported projects implemented, through the non-government organizations, were supported by questionable and spurious documents.

The suppliers also denied providing farm implements or issuing any invoices and receipts.