DPWH Asec Umpa says he’s victim of ‘demolition job’

MANILA, Philippines – The public works official who has been asked to resign for alleged corruption claimed to be the victim of the “demolition job” of some politicians he had supposedly angered.

In a series of angry posts on his Facebook page on Tuesday, May 15, Public Works Assistant Secretary Tingagun Ampaso Umpa denied involvement in any corrupt acts as he demanded for “justice.”

“I want to clear my name,” Umpa said in a post hours after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced in a news briefing that Duterte had asked for his resignation, as well as  that of Justice Assistant Secretary Moslemen Macarambon Sr.

Malacañang had said that the two would be sacked anyway for alleged corruption. 

Umpa said in another post, “I want to expose corrupt congressmen and corrupt DPWH officials. Demolition job kayo!!” 

Roque said in a news briefing on Tuesday that Umpa and Macarambon were allegedly  involved in corruption. In the case of Umpa, Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte received reports that Umpa  allegedly demanded commissions from government contractors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Umpa claimed he angered the contractors for his “refusal to negotiate” with them.

“I’m calling the attention of Malacañang to investigate all DPWH officials and all congressmen who are contractors,” he said.

Umpa said some contractors had executed an affidavit against him which allegedly stemmed  from an “overpriced” project which he wanted to investigate. – Rappler.com