DA Sec. Dar sued for graft, violation of ethics code in alleged nepotism

A former government official has sued Agriculture Secretary William Dar for graft and violation of ethical code for public officials, among other related charges, before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint was filed over Dar's alleged usurpation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointing powers and the appointment of Dar’s son-in-law to a government post in the Department of Agriculture (DA). 

Based on his 16-page complaint dated July 1, former Deputy Executive Director John Pagaduan of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) accused Dar of causing his constructive dismissal or forced resignation by relieving him from his official position and assigning him to different offices without specific functions.

Pagaduan said his predicament started when Dar replaced former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol in August 2019. A month after, Dar issued a Special Order recalling Pagaduan's services to the PCAF.

Pagaduan said he gladly accepted such a recall order even if he was making strides as the head of the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) unit of the DA, including the establishment of the National Farmers and Fisherfolk Information System, because being the PCAF head is the position President Duterte appointed him to in the first place. 

Pagaduan, however, claimed that Dar ultimately eased him out by January this year. He said Dar reassigned him to work under the Office of the DA Secretary, but without specific functions.

Further, Pagaduan added that Dar again reassigned him to work under the DA Undersecretary of Regulations by the following month in February, again without specific functions.

“Complainant was given no office, no personnel, no table and no clear job direction or function. His life at the DA was reduced to indignity, meaninglessness and insignificance,” the complaint read. 

“Too demoralized and left with no recourse, and considering that he would not be put into good use by the DA Secretary, the complainant was forced to file his 'courtesy resignation' addressed to President Duterte on March 8. The resignation was to be effective on March 30,” the complaint added.

Pagaduan then argued that his courtesy resignation is tantamount to constructive dismissal which, per the law, “exists if an act of clear discrimination, insensibility or disdain by an employer becomes so unbearable on the part of the employee that it would foreclose any choice by him except to forego his continued employment.” 

“The act of subjecting the subordinate official to a constructive dismissal is tantamount to a graft and corrupt practice. Secretary Dar caused undue injury to the complainant as he lost his employment, position, dignity and opportunity to serve the people,” the complaint read.

“The reassignment was whimsical and oppressive,” the complaint added.

Nepotism

Likewise, Pagaduan alleged that Dar designated his son-in-law, Alex Arizabal Jr., as general manager of the Human Settlement Development Corp., an agency under the DA, under Special Order 15.

Pagaduan claimed that Arizabal Jr. already holds a regular position as Information Systems Analyst III in the DA, and has been designated as Head Executive Assistant under Secretary William Dar. 

“Secretary Dar gave unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference in favor of his son-in-law. The designation of Mr. Alexander Arizabal constitutes a gross violation of our laws and government regulations that warrants the appropriate criminal and administrative charges,” the complaint said.

“It is [even] doubtful if Mr. Arizabal has any experience in corporate liquidation, or at the very least, in the management of a government corporation,” the complaint added.

GMA News Online has already contacted Dar's office and the Department of Agriculture for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time. —with a report from Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News