Dumanjug municipal engineer dismissed from service for soliciting P500K

THE Ombudsman-Visayas ordered the dismissal of a municipal engineer of Dumanjug town, southwest Cebu for soliciting P500,000 from a construction firm in exchange for the release of their final inspection report.

Danilo Phua was found guilty of simple neglect of duty and was barred from reemployment in the government service. His retirement benefits were also ordered canceled.

The Ombudsman directed Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia to implement the penalty against Phua.

Aside from the administrative liability, Phua will also face trial for violating Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

“I have not read the ruling yet. But of course, I will abide by what the Ombudsman says. I will implement that,” Garcia said in an interview with Cebu Daily News.

Phua’s suspension stemmed from a complaint filed by Antonio Jimenez Jr., the administrator and manager of LAB General Engineering Inc., in 2014.

LAB General Engineering Inc. was awarded the contract for the construction of the Dumanjug Sports Complex amounting to P14.8 million.

Jimenez alleged that Phua demanded P500,000 from him so the municipal engineer will already release to them their Final Inspection Report.

In her ruling, Marie Fe Frances Seville-Ang found sufficient grounds to penalize Phua. Based on the investigation conducted by the Ombudsman, Phua refused to submit the Final Inspection Report and kept on using alibis.

“The report already existed yet respondent deliberately delayed its release. This shows that respondent’s failure to produce the report was done on purpose,” Ang said.

The Ombudsman directed Phua to submit his counter-affidavit to refute the allegations, but he didn’t comply with the order.

Cebu Daily News contacted the Dumanjug Municipal Engineer’s Office but Phua was not in his office./Senior Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol