The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has filed an administrative complaint against Baguio City District Engineer Rene Zarate for allegedly refusing to cooperate in the investigation of flood control projects.
In a two-page order issued on Monday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon imposed a 30-day preventive suspension on Zarate. The order states that Zarate “refused to cooperate” with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), established by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to probe flood control initiatives from the past decade.
“This Office finds that a prima facie case exists against respondent Rene F. Zarate for Gross Neglect of Duty, Conduct Prejudicial to Best Interest of Service, Gross Insubordination, and Violation of Reasonable Office Rules and Regulations under Section 63(A)(1)(h), (2)(a), (f) and (c)(15), respectively, of the 2025 RACCS (Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service),” the order reads.
“Further, pursuant to Section 34 of the 2025 RACCS, and in view of the gravity of the offenses charged, the Respondent is hereby placed under preventive suspension for a period of thirty (30) days, effective upon receipt hereof,” it adds.
Zarate has three days to respond to the charges. “Should he fail to submit his answer within the period herein prescribed, the Respondent shall be considered to have waived his rights to submit the same and the case shall be decided based on available records, as provided under Section 31, Rule 6 of the 2025 RACCS,” the order specifies.