DPWH chief defends 3 officials in fake photo issue

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson on Sunday defended his three officials who appeared in an apparent fake photo showing them working at the height of Typhoon Pedring. “It’s the fault of the photographer and not the officials," Singson said in an ambush interview in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “The officials had nothing to do with the fake photo." Singson said he had talked with the three officials and they denied any role in the preparation of the picture where their images were superimposed on a photo of the Baywalk in Manila, which was battered by Typhoon Pedring, to make it appear that they were working during the calamity.

Singson was in Camp Aguinaldo on Sunday to attend the meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) regarding government actions in the wake of typhoons Pedring and Quiel. The meeting was presided by President Benigno Aquino III. Singson said the photographer, whom he did not identify, had admitted to the irregularity and the department is studying what sanction will be imposed on him for dishonesty. “I have castigated the person and he is bound to be sanctioned," Singson said. “That’s high dishonesty. It should have not been done, its embarrassing to the DPWH." When asked on the name of the photographer, Singson said: “I don’t want to even remember." - KBK, GMA News