Bribe takers, givers warned

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje has warned department employees against asking money from applicants in exchange for fast-tracking the processing of their papers or for any other services.

At the same time, Paje said the public should refrain from offering bribes to employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources unless they want to face criminal charges.

“This concept of ‘assistance for a fee’ is a gross violation of the DENR’s ethical standards and therefore, I consider it as irregular. Any official or employee caught involved in any irregular transaction will be dealt with accordingly,” Paje said in a statement.

Paje issued the warning as he ordered an investigation of a DENR field employee who was caught by National Bureau of Investigation agents while receiving money from a person with a pending land case in the DENR Central Luzon office.

He also said the DENR would put in place reforms in the land titling program. Leila B. Salaverria