DAVAO CITY (May 16) — President Rodrigo Duterte asked two Assistant Secretaries to resign from their post or face termination, over alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque identified the two as Assistant Secretaries Moslemen T. Macarambon, Sr. of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Assistant Secretary Tingagun A. Umpa of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
According to Roque, an investigation conducted by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) revealed that Asec. Macarambon regularly intervened on behalf of suspected smugglers of gold and other precious jewelry at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Likewise, investigations conducted by the DPWH revealed that Asec. Umpa also committed grave abuse of power and may have committed acts of corruption, among others.
Umpa in a facebook post claimed he is a victim of officials who are contracting government projects.
“DPWH has sworn statements where Asec. Umpa allegedly asked from contractors in the ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] area for certain percentages from projects awarded to these contractors,” Roque cited.
The Cabinet official said it is now up to the Office of the Ombudsman to file appropriate cases against the two erring officials.
“Gaya ng aking sinasabi po, ang mga kaso po ay katungkulan na ‘yan ng Ombudsman, bagamat meron pong imbestigasyon na ginawa ang [DOJ] at tsaka ang [PACC] na pupwede pong gamitin ng Ombudsman sa kanilang mga imbestigasyon,” Roque stressed.
All cases and allegations about corruption involving officials who resigned or terminated by the Duterte administration will be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman for proper disposition.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
