Ombud admits ex-DPWH chief not included in lamppost probe

THE Ombudsman-Visayas and even local officials implicated in the overpriced purchase of decorative lampposts in Cebu are wondering why former Public Works and Highways secretary Hermogenes Ebdane wasn’t included in the Manila inquiry.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol yesterday said their office recommended that Ebdane be investigated since the project passed through him. “I don’t know what happened,” Apostol said.

He said the Ombudsman-Visayas has no jurisdiction over Ebdane whose office is based in Manila.

“It’s the Ombudsman in Manila who should conduct an investigation against Ebdane,” Apostol said.

The Ombudsman-Visayas indicted DPWH-7 officials, city engineers of the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue as well as Provincial Board (PB) member Thadeo Ouano and Rep. Arturo Radaza.

They are facing graft charges before different divisions in the Sandiganbayan.

All of them were found guilty of grave misconduct by the Ombudsman-Visayas for the overpriced acquisition of the lampposts.

The Ombudsman also ordered the forfeiture of benefits of all the respondents, including those who may have retired from service.

Asst. Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said Tanodbayan Conchita Carpio-Morales mandated them to immediately resolve cases involving high-ranking officials, controversial cases, and issues that involved huge amount of money.

“We have done our part,” Apostol said. The lampposts, which were used during the Association of Southeast Nations Summit in 2007, were deemed “highly overpriced” nearly 10 times their original amount by the anti-graft office. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol