Metro Manila, Philippines – The Public Works Department wants the professional licenses of 20 personnel revoked for their involvement in anomalous flood control deals in Bulacan.
On Friday, Oct. 3, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) signed a memorandum to strengthen accountability on professionals who will be involved in questionable schemes. It was on the same occasion that Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon turned over the evidence to the licensing body and recommended permanent revocation of licenses of DPWH officials in Bulacan, including dismissed engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Paul Duya.
The DPWH chief said the license revocation will include architects and accountants involved in anomalous projects.
The 20 officials are facing criminal complaints with the Ombudsman for graft and corruption, malversation of public funds, and violation of the procurement law.
“Hindi lang accountability ng mga contractor pero accountability din ng mga professional officials and employees ng DPWH. Kasi lahat ng propesyon meron iyang code of ethics, code of conduct. And clearly itong mga ginawang ito is a clear violation of those ethical standards and code of conduct…dahil kasabwat sila sa pagnanakaw ng pera ng tao,” said Dizon in a press briefing.[Translation: It’s not just about holding the contractors accountable, but also the professional officials and employees of the DPWH. Every profession has a code of ethics and a code of conduct. And, clearly, these actions are a blatant violation of those ethical standards and codes of conduct because they were complicit in stealing public funds.]PRC Chairman Charito Zamora vowed swift action on the DPWH recommendation given the volume of evidence that was turned over to their agency. Zamora said the erring personnel may face harsher penalties because of pending criminal complaints. “Actually kasi before, upon showing of good conduct, nangyayari e. May mga re-revoke before for how many years, two years. Pero palagay ko sa nangyari medyo mabigat ito e. Dahil sa taumbayan sila nagkasala, hindi lang naman sa PRC,” she said, when asked if there’s a possibility for reversal.
