PACC names DPWH engineer in video of alleged extortion

Greco Belgica. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Tuesday identified a district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) as the one who was caught on camera allegedly asking for “grease money” from a contractor for a P100-million road project in Ifugao province.

PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica, in a forum with reporters, presented the video showing Engineer Lorna Ricardo allegedly demanding P10 million from a contractor to ensure the awarding of the Lagawe-Caba-Ponghal Road Development Project.

Aside from the P10 million, the engineer also asked for one percent of the 10 percent mobilization fund to be released on June 25 to 29, 2018 as “SOP” or standard operating procedure for DPWH – Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Ifugao District and five percent “SOP” on every progress billing.

Belgica added that Ricardo also demanded for P20,000 payment as processing fee for the issuance of Statement of Work Accomplished (SWA); one percent from the P100 million, the total contract cost for material testing; and another million pesos for the purported vehicle rental to be used by DPWH project engineers.

The PACC commissioner said the video of Ricardo and the contractor was taken somewhere between July to August 2018.

The PACC invited Ricardo to attend the press briefing to explain her side but she failed, or either refused, to show up.

Belgica added that they will submit their report to the Ombudsman for the filing of appropriate cases against Ricardo.

“DPWH will conduct investigation as regards the administrative aspect of the case. With regard to the criminal case, we will submit our report and recommendation to the Ombudsman for appropriate action,” Belgica told INQUIRER.net in a text message. /jpv