Ombudsman finds probable cause to charge ex-LWUA execs for graft

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to criminally charge two officials of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for graft in connection with the implementation of the Guimba Water Supply Project (GWSP) in Nueva Ecija.

 

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Ombudsman said former LWUA administrator Lorenzo Jamora and acting deputy administrator Wilfredo Feleo, along with Green Asia Construction and Development President and Chairman Renato Legaspi, has violated Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

 

It added that they were also dismissed from the service after being found guilty of Gross Neglect of Duty and Grave Misconduct.

 

The statement said Jamora and Feleo paid Green Asia P1,113,521 on July 12, 2004 for the design and construction of the GWSP in Nueva Ecija.

 

However, the Ombudsman found that the amount was paid before the completion of the project and without a Certificate of Final Acceptance.

 

"Green Asia unduly profited from the transaction since it was not entitled to payment at that time for failure to address the works that needed correction or completion," it said.

 

The statement quoted Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales as saying, "the collective action of Feleo and Jamora in ensuring the advance release of the check to Green Asia and the actual receipt by Legaspi thereof despite the absence of the Certificate of Final Acceptance at that time constitutes positive and convincing evidence that they pursued the same criminal purpose and objective in giving unwarranted benefit to Green Asia."

 

Meanwhile, the complaint against LWUA Senior Deputy Administrator Emmanuel Malicdem was dismissed for lack of evidence, it added. —Amanda Fernandez/NB, GMA News