4 CPA heads suspended over vehicle purchase

General Manager Angelo Verdan of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has implemented the one-year suspension order against legal division manager Yusoph Uckung by the Ombudsman for illegal purchase of vehicles.

Suspended by the Ombudsman are Uckung and three other CPA department heads.

Verdan issued the implementation of suspension order last Aug. 24, the day the Civil Service Commission also received an inquiry on Uckung’s holding 22 different positions and committees.

Earlier, Verdan said he cannot yet implement the suspension of Uckung because there is an existing appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA) against the Ombudsman’s suspension order.

However, Verdan reconsidered after several tarpaulins were placed in strategic areas in the city questioning why Uckung seemed to be untouchable while other department heads are now serving their suspension.

One such sign said nobody is indispensable and the CPA should respect the ombudsman’s order.

“To date, we have not yet received a reply to your petition addressed to Ombudsman praying to be allowed to pay the fine instead of suspension for gross misconduct. Likewise, no decision had been released by the Court of Appeals on the petition for review of the Ombudsman’s decision,” Verdan said in his order.

Verdan implemented Uckung’s suspension from Aug. 28, 2018 to Aug. 27, 2019, and said that Uckung should vacate all his 22 posts immediately.

Complainant Tesan Cortes of Inayawan, Cebu City told CSC 7 Director Editha Luzano in a letter that Uckung’s 22 positions and designations bothered the CPA employees most. “Do we have a shortage of talents and abilities in the Cebu Port Authority? Or are we trying to run an authoritarian management style?” said the letter-complaint.

Complainant Tesan Cortes of Inayawan, Cebu City told CSC 7 Director Editha Luzano in a letter that legal division manager Yusoph Uckung’s 22 positions and designations bothered the CPA employees.