BAGUIO CITY – An anti-corruption advocate in the region questioned the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Networth (SALNs) of a ranking official of the Cordillera office of the Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH-CAR) for her alleged untrue declaration aside from her failure to submit the said comments for a certain number of years.
In his position paper submitted before the Office of the Ombudsman, Salvador Liked, Secretary-General of the Citizens Crime Watch – Cordillera chapter, said that there are some alleged inconsistencies in the SALNs of DPWH-CAR regional director Engr. Nerie D. Bueno apart from the fact that she failed to submit her required SALNs for 2007, 2008 and 2012 as complained while she failed to attach her SALNs for the years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for possible comparison of the details that were entered in the said comments.
In Bueno’s SALN for 2009, there was an entry H&L located at Baguio city, mode of acquisition, spouse inherit. Estimated fair market value P3 million and assessed value P174,830. In her 2010 SALN, there was also an entry H&L located in Baguio City, mode of acquisition spouse inherit, estimated fair market value P3 million and assessed value P174,830. However, in her 2011 SALN, there was an entry H&L located in Baguio City, mode of acquisition spouse inherit, estimated fair market value P295,000 and assessed value P51,625.
Liked claimed that Bueno is not only a regional director but also a college graduate and knows and understands the alleged legal implications of being reportedly dishonest in allegedly falsifying facts of a legal document.
The complainant also questioned the wisdom of the DPWH-CAR official in not allegedly attaching her SALNs for the years 2012 to 2016 to prove to the investigating body that she as a government official had religiously adhered to the pertinent provisions of the law.
Earlier, the Ombudsman ordered Liked and Bueno to file two copies of their verified position papers, within ten days from receipt of the order, containing only those charges, defenses and other claims contained in the affidavits and pleadings filed before the said office and attaching any relevant affidavits or documentary evidence.
After the expiration of the 10-day grace period, and with or without the required position papers, the case of alleged dishonesty and grave misconduct filed against the DPWH-CAR official will be deemed submitted for decision or the conduct of further proceedings if warranted.
Last year, Liked filed before the Ombudsman a case of alleged dishonesty and failure to submit SALNs against Bueno for her failure to submit her SALNs for the years 2007, 2008 and 2012 which is in violation of the pertinent provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Law and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees mandating all government officials and employees to submit to the Ombudsman their annual SALNs containing correct declarations.
The complainant asserted that he stands by his conviction that the DPWH-CAR official is an alleged dishonest and deceitful official and she does not reportedly deserve to continuously stay in her office.
Bueno could not be reached for comments regarding the said allegations as of press time.
By HENT
