A DISTRICT engineer caught in a video allegedly engaging in an anomalous transaction for a P20-million kickback from a contractor in Ifugao was sacked by Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
In a memorandum dated Nov. 14, 2018, Villar ordered District Engineer Lorna Ricardo to immediately vacate her post as district engineer of DPWH Abra District Engineering Office pursuant to the “Preventive Suspension” rule of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in Civil Service.
Ricardo was caught in a video asking monetary favors from a contractor in exchange for the awarding of the Lagawe-Caba-Ponghal Road Development Project.
Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica reported in a press conference that Ricardo, as seen in the video, allegedly asked for an initial P10 million as “payment or reimbursement fee” that will be used to facilitate the release of the P100-million development fund from Department of Budget and Management, claiming that Lagawe-Caba-Ponghal Road is a special project.
Belgica said Ricardo had also demanded 1 percent of the 10-percent mobilization fund as standard operating procedure for DPWH Bids and Awards Committee Ifugao District and 5 percent SOP on every progress billing.
He added that Ricardo had also asked P20,000 payment for processing fee for the issuance of statement of work accomplished; 1 percent of P100 million; and P1 million for purported vehicle rental for the use of the DPWH project engineer.
This, according to Belgica, is between P16 million to P20 million in total.
Villar, on the other hand, instructed Ricardo to report to the DPWH Central Office pending the conduct of appropriate administrative investigation over her alleged malfeasance.
The secretary also enjoined the Internal Affairs Division of the Legal Service – the office mandated to conduct the thorough investigation – to practice impartiality throughout the process and remain true to the department’s endeavor to rid of erring officials from the bureaucracy. (Betheena Kae Unite)
