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PRESIEDENTIAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION (PAGC)

PRESS RELEASE

January 25, 2007 

PALACE AFFIRMS PAGC RECOMMENDATION TO DISMISS NBI AND LAND BANK TOP EXECS FOR GRAFT 

The Office of the President (OP) has affirmed the dismissal of two top executives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Land Bank Realty Development Corporation found guilty of graft and corruption in disposition of their official duties in separate investigations conducted by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC). 

Dismissed based on the recommendations of PAGC were National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Carlos R. Saunar and Land Bank Realty Development Corporation President and General Manager Edward L. Fereira. In a press briefing at the PAGC Conference Room, Commissioner Jaime Jacob announced that the respondents were dismissed for having acted in gross negligence of their duties as public officers resulting to undue injury against the government.  

Saunar’s offenses constitute violation of Executive Order 292 (Section 22 B, Rule XIV of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V), the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713). Fereira’s dismissal, on the other hand, was in violation of RA 3019 and RA 6713.  

The dismissal orders to Saunar and Fereira were upheld and signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, by authority of the President last January 18 and 19, 2007, respectively.  

Investigations reveled that Saunar failed to report for work for more than one year (from March 24, 2005 to May 2006) without any approved leave of absence at the office of the Deputy Director for Regional Operations Services (DDROS) after he was relieved of his duties as Regional Director for Western Mindanao Regional Office (WEMRO). However, records showed that Saunar continued to receive salary without rendering any government service during the said period.  

PAGC did not give merit to the defendant’s arguments that no specific or definite work was assigned to him at the time that he was relieved from WEMRO, and that there is no work for Regional Directors at the ODDROS; he did not report for work to avoid public ridicule being seen in the premises of NBI on stand-by doing nothing; and he just stayed at nearby establishments accessible to ODDROS. Saunar further justified that he made court appearances and reviewed past investigation cases although he failed to show Certificates of Appearance to support his claim.  

In the case of Fereira, OP concurred with the findings of PAGC that includes failure to do the following: file leave of absence when he traveled abroad from June 21-27, 2006; submit the appropriate supporting documents to substantiate his reimbursements for various personal expenses; secure the approval of the Board of Directors in hiring of new employees, adoption of new business name for LBDRC and printing of new calling, complimentary and thank you cards; secure the approval of the Committee on Bids and Awards for the disposal of a stainless steel sprayer;  and justify the excessive overtime work of an LBRDC driver and the use of the corresponding overtime pay for the repair of the respondent’s private car; and use of government vehicle for non-official business. 

Aside from the dismissal, Saunar and Fereira were also slapped with the accessory penalties that would barred them from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility and forfeiture of financial benefits. 

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