Marikina engineer, 2 others suspended

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina engineer Kennedy Sueno and two other city officials have been suspended for six months for dealing with fixers in the issuance of building permits.

In a 20-page resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman found Sueno, engineer Mark de Joya and administrative aide Abigail Joy Santiago guilty of conduct unbecoming of a public officer.

Bribery charges were filed in May last year by Brian and Agnes Torre following their application for building and occupancy permits in August 2021.

The couple complained about “numerous obstacles” during the application process. They ended up paying P430,000 to personnel of the city engineering office.

In June 2024, Sueno, De Joya, Santiago and four others were suspended for six months “to preserve the documents and other possible evidence, which may be in their custody.”

The ombudsman said the suspects conducted informal meetings at the Marikina City engineering department and interacted with fixers.

Charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service were dismissed for lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, the charges filed against enforcement section chief Romeo Gutierrez Jr., building inspector Marlito Poquiz, assistant city engineer and permits division chief Josephine Gutierrez Evangelista, electrical inspector Alex Copreros as well as electrician foreman Manuel Santos were dismissed for lack of sufficient basis.