DAVAO CITY (May 21) — A regional director squealed. Resigned Highways Assistant Secretary Tinganun “Roger” A. Umpa, instructed her to ask for 1 to 2 percent share from the projects awarded to contractors.
In a report addressed to DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, DPWH Director Zenaida Tan of Region X , bared what she claims to be the many “bad” actions undertaken by Umpa during his stint as Assistant Secretary.
Tan submitted the report, after Umpa in his facebook post dared Malacañang to investigate corrupt politicians, whom he said are into contracting business.
“I want to clear my NAME kayong mga politician na contractor na corrupt dahil sa katiwalian niyo ako pa ngayun aNg corrupt!! (you politicians who are also contractors are corrupt. Because of your corruption, you make me look corrupt!!),” Umpa said in a Facebook post.
But Tan’s report say otherwise, according to her Umpa instructed her, to tell contractors to deliver to Umpa his 1 to 2 percent share from the projects awarded to them.
In the same report, Tan revealed “Asec. Umpa instructed me to tell the contractors of our project located within ARMM area (Asec. Umpa’s area) to deliver to him a 1 to 2 percent project share. I told Asec. Umpa that I cannot follow his instruction as it will destroy my image and the DPWH organization.”
Umpa had also requested for a one-on-one talk with her, giving her instructions, which she described as “insinuating to earn extra income.”
“After the meeting, he requested for a one-on-one talk with me. In our private meeting, he gave me many instructions. Some of which are insinuating (how) to earn extra income,” Tan said in her report.
The report said, Tan first noticed there was something suspicious about the so-called ‘kalakaran’ or norm in DPWH when Umpa had asked her to book his ticket to CDO, along with three others, including their accommodation in a specific hotel, Limketkai Lux Hotel.
Barely weeks after her appointment, Tan told Umpa that she wanted to be spared from the norm but still was hospitable to cater to his office-requests.
Tan claimed, Umpa mentioned to her being sent by “Malacañang” to stop corruption and that there were demolition moves against him.
According to Tan, Umpa said that he was asked to remove employees if necessary. But later Tan realized, Umpa was merely using Malacañang as his “shield” in carrying out his deeds.
“Every time Asec. Umpa gives ‘unusual’ instructions, I readily inform him that I do not give updates to the higher-ups and that delicate management matters in my AOR (area of responsibility) should not be a secret to the top management. He said he will work it out in the Central Office,” she added.
Tan also revealed, Umpa planned to sack DWPH Engineer Mikunug Macabantog, who at that time, supervised DPWH projects in Lanao del Sur.
But, she was confused, when Umpa instructed her to let other engineers supervise the regional projects in Lanao del Sur, to replace Macabanto’s tasks.
Last week, Spokersperson Harry Roque announced that President Rodrigo Duterte wants Umpa and another Asec to resign from their post or face termination.-Editha Z. Caduaya with report from PNA
