Gumabong admits extortion racket at CEO; implicates top officials
GUMABONG
Controversial City Hall employee Ricardo C. Gumabong finally surfaced and faced the media yesterday (Tuesday) but not without implicating top officials of the City Engineer's Office (CEO) in what he calls a widespread extortion racket inside the department.
Gumabong admitted his involvement in several cases where he used the name of the CEO to collect money from the building owners. He, however, said that he is not alone in the extortion racket which has long been taking place at the CEO.
He alleged that five other inspectors of the CEO are doing the same and that CEO officials, Chief City Engr. Marito Amatorio and Engr. Marcelino Umahag, chief of the electrical safety division, are also involved in the extortion racket.
He also said women employees of the CEO are also acting as "fixers" in all transactions involving processing of building permit and occupancy.
Gumabong said the corruption is so widespread that it involves officials occupying the highest position until the lowly casual employee of the department.
He said the money received by casual employees from all the illegal transactions is much bigger compared to their regular wages.
He, however, said there are still employees who are not involved in any illegal transactions inside the CEO. He identified them as couple Noen Gregorio and Reggie Gregorio. The two do not and will never receive grease money out of the permits being processed at the CEO, said Gumabong.
Gumabong said Umahag and other officials of the CEO are involved in much bigger illegal transactions compared to what they are doing.
He alleged that Umahag is receiving money from the Jamoras, owner of the Mary Mart Mall. He said, no inspector from the CEO could conduct inspection on the mall other than Umahag.
Gumabong even claimed that Umahag is occupying an office at the Mary Mart Mall.
Gumabong, who has been employed since 1992, said extortion and illegal transactions had been taking place at the CEO even before the time of the late former City Engr. Jose Occeña.
He said, it even became worse at present under the time of Amatorio and Umahag.
Gumabong became controversial after he was figured in a foiled extortion racket at the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Inc. He demanded P16,724 from the company.
He was chanced upon by members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps at the City Legal Office (CLO) Tuesday morning.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas tasked the CLO headed by Atty. Edgar Gil to investigate the allegations against Gumabong.
Gumabong has yet to officially receive a copy of the invitation for an investigation but he decided to go to Gil's office yesterday. He was advised to wait for the official communication for him to appear before the investigating body.
Gumabong further disclosed that he was never slapped with any sanction since he also shared some of his illegal collections to his superiors and fellow employees.
They call the money received from the transaction as "for the boys." He said they usually distribute the "for the boys" in the Acacia canteen.
In the case of the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp., Gumabong said he did not collect money from the company. He defended himself saying he was asked by Victor Palilio, manager of the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp. to make a formal letter to the company indicating the proposed electrical inspection. The letter was accompanied by a billing statement.
While, in the case of Rose Pharmacy, Gumabong said he only collected some P9,000 from the store and not P21,000 as reported by the store's area manager to the police. In spite of all the controversy, Gumabong assured the management of Rose Pharmacy that he will give them all the necessary permits.