Ombudsman orders dismissal of 23 former, present MWSS execs

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales(Pictured) has ordered the dismissal from the service of 23 former and incumbent officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS). (Photo: Office of the Ombudsman/ Facebook)

MANILA –Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the dismissal from the service of 23 former and incumbent officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

The 23 accused face graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for their alleged involvement in the illegal hiring of consultants.

These top officials are former MWSS administrators Gerardo Esquivel and Diosdado Jose Allado; senior deputy administ

rators Nathaniel Santos and Macra Cruz; deputy administrators Zoilo Andin, Jr. and Leonor Cleofas; corporate finance services chiefs Virgilio Matel and Jocelyn Toledo; and department managers Estrellito Polloso and Darlina Uy.

Likewise, board members Ramon Alikpala, Oscar Garcia, Ferdinand Mahusay, Aurora Arnaez, Virgilio Angelo, Santiago Gabionza, Jr., Albert Balingit, Raoul Creencia, Ma. Cecilia Soriano, Benjamin Yambao, Emmanuel Caparas, Hermogenes Fernando and Jose Ramon Villarin.

The case stemmed in the hiring of 37 consultants in 2010 to 2012 wherein they received more than Php 8 million in compensation.

The Ombudsman said that the MWSS violated the law when they hired the said consultants despite the lack of approved rationalization plan.

It added that the employment of the said consultants also did not undergo public bidding process as provided by law.

Aside from this, the Ombudsman also found the accused guilty of the case of grave misconduct.