Palace bares confidential report showing how ex-DPWH assistant secretary “abused” post

May 19, 2018

A regional director from Department of Public Works and Highways revealed how Assistant Secretary Tingagun Umpa allegedly abused his power during his trip in Cagayan de Oro City last May 2.

This was contained in a confidential report sent to Undersecretary Emil Sadain by Region 10 Director Zenaida Tan and was shared by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to reporters.

According to Tan, she received a call from Umpa informing about his upcoming visit in Mindanao.

Umpa requested her to book plane tickets and hotel accommodation amounting to P89,452 and P28,000, respectively.

Tan said Umpa was accompanied by eight police officers and other close-in escorts during the emergency meeting in DPWH Region 10 attended by Division Chiefs and Task Force Bangon Marawi members.

According to Tan, Umpa emphasized that he was sent by "Malacanang" to stop corruption in DPWH.

"He said that there were demolition moves against, but Malacanang said, 'they can't remove you, you will remove them," she said in her report.

After the meeting, Umpa asked Tan to have a one-on-one talk where the assistant secretary gave instructions, including earning extra income.

"Everytime Asec. Umpa gives unusual instructions, I readily inform him that I do give updates to the higher-ups and that delicate management matters in my AOR (area of responsibility) should not be secret to the top management," she said.

But Umpa told her that he would work it out in the Central Office.

Also, Umpa removed a project engineer for not giving him full attention and following his instruction during his field inspection in Lanao del Sur.

Before their meeting ended, Umpa allegedly instructed Tan to tell the contractors of projects located in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to deliver to him a 1 to 2 percent project share which she declined to follow.

"As to his alleged bloated billings for the projects, we furnished him the financial report and copy of vouchers showing that the contractors of subject projects only collected 15 percent mobilization," she added.

She said after Umpa left, a congressman and concerned contractor arrived in her office showing a text message from the assistant secretary's aide asking for SOP (standard operating procedures).

Tan said she was informed that the bad actions of Umpa was already known in their community and throughout the country.

Umpa is one of the officials asked by President Rodrigo Duterte to resign due to alleged corruption.

On his Facebook page, Umpa said he was a victim of demolition job as he asked Malacanang to investigate all DPWH officials. Ella Dionisio/DMS