He issued the statement after news accounts implicated one of the division chiefs of DPWH Region 4-B in alleged corrupt practices.

The same official was also accused of behavior unbecoming of a public servant.

In the March 31, 2006 news item, the unnamed complainant who claimed to be a member of a cause oriented group from the University of the Philippines (UP) appealed to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to investigate the division chief for corruption and philandering.

The letter also stated that the DPWH Region 4-B personnel should undertake a refresher’s course on Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (CCESPOE).

Marianito Guerrero, who claimed to be a member of a cause- oriented group, said in a news release dated May 23 that a division chief in the regional office connived with erring contractors and a Mindoro district engineer and committed unethical behavior.

The letter also urged Ebdane to immediately sack the corrupt official and his cohorts or at least transfer him to a less sensitive position where he can do no harm.

Based on the twin news accounts, Tolentino conducted a thorough investigation that yielded negative results.

The report failed to identify the culprit and did not detail specific corrupt practices committed by the official accused of impropriety.

Tolentino asserted that he would never tolerate such wrongdoing and appealed to the complainant to be more specific and submit concrete proof to substantiate his charges.

DPWH insiders described Tolentino as a hardworking whose technical expertise and integrity is unquestionable.