OMB EMPLOYEES PASS CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS (CFE) EXAM

       SEVEN employees of the Office of the Ombudsman have passed the screening process to undergo the Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) training and certification examination sponsored by the Philippines Integrity Project (iPro) of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).


       The project is under the USAID being implemented by the Management Systems International (MSI), a contractor of USAID.


       Out of 49 individuals who have applied and undergone the screening, those who have successfully qualified to undertake the training course and examination are the following: Atty. Francis Euston Acero, Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Bureau (PARB); Graft Prevention and Corruption Officer (GPCO) Czarina May Altez, Public Assistant and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO); Associate Graft Investigation Officer (AGIO) Alfredo Bentulan, Jr., Office of Legal Affairs (OLA); Atty. John B. Felix, OMB-Luzon; Atty. Emerita Francia, Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Monitoring Bureau (PAMB); Associate Graft Investigation Officer (AGIO) Cecile Jacqueline Larena, OMB-Mindanao, and Associate Graft Investigation Officer (AGIO)  Armel Rodrigueza, Field Investigation Office (FIO).

       The training ran from January 24 to February 3, 2012 with a break on Sunday, January 29, 2012. A certification exam was conducted on March 1 and 2, 2012.

       The training fee in the amount of U$2,000 each was paid by the MSI, while the membership fee for the first year in the amount of P1,000 each was shouldered by the Office.

       According to Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan, “taking the steps to become a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) will position them as specialists in the prevention and detection of fraud.”

       “Becoming a CFE requires specific trainings and qualifications and is achieved by passing the CFE training and certification exam,” he said.

       AO Rafanan said the program which aimed at strengthening the conduct of investigation and prosecution through skills enhancement in specialized techniques supports the thrust of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to improve the survival rate of fact-finding.