GMA sacks DBM exec for dishonesty

President Arroyo has sacked an official of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) who was found guilty of dishonesty and gross misconduct by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).

According to a report to the President by the commission, Jovito Vernon Valente, DBM director IV for administrative services, falsified information about his academic credentials.

Acting upon the PAGC’s recommendation, Mrs. Arroyo issued a memorandum order dismissing Valente and ordering the forfeiture of all his benefits.

Valente could also face criminal charges as the commission had notified the Office of the Ombudsman about his case for investigation.

The PAGC said Valente violated the Revised Penal Code as well the code of conduct for government officials and employees.

In her letter of complaint to Malacañang dated Aug. 1 last year, Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin said Valente had claimed that he was a certified public accountant, an eighth placer in the 1975 CPA board, a holder of a master in science in commerce degree, a business economics major at University of Sto. Tomas (UST), "when in truth and in fact, he was not."

Valente also claimed to have earned a grade of Meritissimus in his management degree and was a candidate for a doctorate in economics with a dissertation currently in progress at UST.

The PAGC found prima facie evidence against Valente after checking his records at the DBM personnel division and at other government agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission which administers the CPA board.

After gathering enough evidence, the PAGC repeatedly asked Valente to submit a counter-affidavit repudiating the charges against him.

Instead, he wrote the commission last March 15 claiming that Boncodin "was desisting from pursuing the case against him."

The PAGC again gave Valente his last chance to submit his counter-affidavit and appear before an investigation on April 10.

But he did not show up, prompting the commission to decide on the case.