Ombudsman orders dismissal of already retired DPWH exec

The Office of the Ombudsman's dismissal order came too late as the Department of Public Works and Highways official found guilty of corruption and extortion already retired last year. 

 

In an 11-page decision, Ombudsman Conchita Caprio-Morales found former DPWH-Cordillera Autonomous Region (DPWH-CAR) Assistant Regional Director Daniel Domingo guilty of grave misconduct and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

 

However, before the Ombudsman decision, Domingo availed of early retirement in 2013, according to an employee of DPWH who refused to be named for the lack of authority to speak on the issue.

It cannot be immediately verified with the DPWH Central Office if Domingo has already able to claim his retirement benefits.

 

Domingo supposedly extorted money from Camia Construction in connection with the projects awarded by the DPWH to the said company about nine years ago, Ombudsman's statement released on Tuesday said. 

 

Still, Domingo's retirement benefits will be forfeited as ordered in the Ombudsman decision. Likewise, he cannot hold any public office position. 

 

An affidavit executed by Jocelyn Fawas, cashier and cost engineer of Camia Construction, stated that she came to know of Domingo’s extortion as her employer, Engineer Vito Loyon, ordered her to deposit various amounts totaling P211,000.00 to the bank accounts belonging to Domingo. 

 

Fawas presented photocopies of deposit slips, a check deposited in the bank account of Domingo and disbursement vouchers of Camia Construction from January to July 2005. 

 

Domingo also acted as Chairman of the DPWH-CAR Bids and Awards Committee which awarded government projects to Camia Construction that year. 

 

"[The] respondent is a public officer whose primordial duty is to serve the public with utmost sincerity, justness and honesty. Thus any act of corruption and extortion ... does not only taint the name of the respondent, but public service as well," the decision read. —NB, GMA News