Former DPWH RD Faces Graft Charges

The former regional director of the Cebu City-based Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Central Visayas is now facing three counts of graft charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the earlier resolution of the Ombudsman-Visayas indicting Engr. Juanito Abergas for alleged violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The case of Abergas stemmed from his illegal claim for reimbursements amounting to P1,804,406.19 from 2002 to 2005, consisting of travel expenses, extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME), and actual and incidental expenses (AIE).

In 2005, the Commission on Audit (COA) had conducted a fact-finding investigation and found out that Abergas claimed reimbursements for travel expenses amounting to P603,459 without submitting necessary documents such as certificates of appearance and travel authority.

Aside from the travel expenses, Abergas also claimed reimbursement amounting to P784,430 for extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) which the state auditors said had exceeded the ceiling allowed by law and were incurred not in the performance of official duty nor for the benefit or interest of public service.

He also claimed another P416,515 for actual and incidental expenses, but COA had uncovered that Abergas requested reimbursement of expenses for pasalubongs such as dried fish, dried mangoes, dried squid, chicharon and other grocery items, and included extra terminal fees, and rebooking fees for his wife.

Results of the investigation conducted by COA disclosed that from 2002 to 2005, Abergas made 133 travels, 88 of which had no travel authorities, and without submitting certificates of appearance in all the travels undertaken.

For the travels in 2004 and 2005, the COA auditors noted that Abergas failed to present boarding passes in almost all of his trips.

The Ombudsman denied Abergas’ motion for reconsideration claiming that his actuation was made in good faith and regularity in the performance of his official functions.