The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended the chief of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and four other officials of the agency in connection with a graft case filed by a telecommunications company.
ARTA deputy director general for operations Undersecretary Ernesto Perez takes over as head the agency until June 30.
ARTA director general Jeremiah Belgica was slapped a six-month prevention suspension pending completion of the inquiry into the graft charge lodged against him and four other ARTA officials.
Perez’s appointment as ARTA officer in charge (OIC) was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on June 10, to ensure the “continuous and effective delivery of public service.”
“My appointment as OIC of ARTA appears to be providential as I was also appointed as OIC when the agency was found. I thank the President and the officials and staff of ARTA for their continued trust and support,” Perez said.
He added that ARTA would continue its reform to deliver better government services to the public.
“ARTA is undeterred and will continue to perform its functions against bureaucratic red tape. Please be assured that the day-to-day operations of ARTA will continue to run smoothly under my watch and that services will not be hampered as we perform this sacred duty to further improve the efficiency of government services,” Perez said.