2 DPWH BULACAN OFFICIALS LOST AT LEAST P300M EACH IN CASINO GAMBLING — LACSON

AT least two Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in Bulacan squandered more than P300 million each in casino gambling, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared Monday.

During the interpellation of his Aug. 20 privilege speech on substandard and ghost flood control projects, Lacson said he has given advance information of these two officials to new DPWH head Vince Dizon.

“The two of them, as per my information, used aliases. They hid their true identities, and used fictitious names,” Lacson said. He said one is a district engineer and another is a minor functionary.

“So you can just imagine the enormity of the corruption that is going on. This is only in Bulacan,” Lacson said.

The senator said he got hold of the aliases used so authorities can identify them or get the records of their winnings and losses.

Lacson said he relayed the information to Dizon through one of Dizon’s prospective staff who used to work with Lacson in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Citing the initial information he received, Lacson said both officials hold positions with Salary Grade 19 or less.

Lacson noted a memorandum circular issued in 2016 explicitly prohibits government officials from gambling in casinos.

He added Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code criminalizes the public use of a fictitious name to conceal a crime.

Also, Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct for government officials, provides up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to P5,000, and possible perpetual disqualification from government service.

Lacson noted as well the syndicate-like activities of DPWH officials like those in the Bulacan 1st engineering district, including the “borrowing” of contractors’ licenses to implement projects.

He also cited information reaching him that former district engineer Brice Hernandez and company resorted to forging the signatures of the inspection team.

“So there was no inspection but there are the signatures of officials who were paid. So this is how bad and greedy they have gotten. Instead of a substandard project, they did not implement it at all just so the entire budget for the project will go to their casino gambling,” he said in Filipino.

Because of this, Lacson said it may be a good idea to pursue legislation penalizing the lending and borrowing of licenses with heavy fines and even imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Lacson said he is confident that Dizon can restore public trust in the DPWH in the wake of the flood control project mess.

“All I can say is that the President made a very good choice in the person of Sec. Dizon. Being an action man, he will initiate an extensive investigation on the anomalies involving flood control projects. In fact I heard he already ordered the submission of courtesy resignations of all officials with the rank of undersecretary and below, and I think that’s a good start,” he added.