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Palace orders LLDA execs to explain extortion accusations


Malacañang has ordered top Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) officials to explain why they should not face administrative disciplinary proceedings over allegations of extortion. In a press statement issued Wednesday, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said a show-cause order had been issued on Monday against LLDA general manager Rodrigo Cabrera, Engineering Division chief Donato Rivera Jr. and Lake Management Division head Jacqueline Dabu. The order was based on the accusation of fish pen owner Dr. Charlie Tan that the three officials tried to extort money from him which is seen as a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act (RA 3019) and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713). Tan claimed that Cabrera and the two other LLDA officials demanded "P300,000 in exchange for the approval of his request to transfer the locations of his fish pens." The three officials were given five days from the receipt of the show cause order to submit their comment to the Office of the Executive Secretary. The Office of the President exercises jurisdiction over Cabrera, who is a presidential appointee. According to the statement, Rivera and Dabu, while not presidential appointees, are covered by the order "for having allegedly acted in conspiracy" with Cabrera. Last Friday, Cabrera took a 60-day leave from office in order to give the Office of the President "a free hand in the conduct of a fair and unprejudiced investigation." — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: llda
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