Duterte orders 2 Asecs to resign

MANILA (May 15, 2018): Malacañang on Tuesday revealed that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has advised two assistant secretaries to tender their resignations or face termination over allegations of corruption.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. in a Palace press briefing named Assistant Secretary 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) as the latest officials who would face the axe due to their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

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.

“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. - PCOO/RSP