Friday, February 22, 2008 Cebu City official suspended
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday ordered the preventive suspension of City Hall’s land appraisal division chief Engracio Lumangtad and warned that more heads will roll as the City gets rid of corrupt employees.
Osmeña told reporters he will have other personnel at the City Assessor’s Office investigated if he receives reports they too got involved in Lumangtad’s alleged activities.
Cesa
His superiors, including City Assessor Eustaqio Cesa, may also be included in the probe if their names crop up in the investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7.
In his news conference, the mayor warned that he will watch more closely other departments and offices where corruption reportedly takes place.
“Of course there will be other employees who will be checked. Just let us know, then we will run after them,” Osmeña said.
As for Lumangtad, the mayor said he will sign the six-month suspension order so he can leave City Hall temporarily while he faces the three cases filed against him.
“We should already put him under preventive suspension for six months. He will be given due process but we’re almost sure he will be fired,” Osmeña added.
Charged
Agents of the NBI arrested Lumangtad last Tuesday morning after he was caught allegedly receiving money from a Cebu City landowner during an entrapment.
He was charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, misconduct and “robbery or extortion.”
He also posted P20,000 as bail yesterday.
Francisco Bontuyan, the complainant, alleged that Lumangtad asked for P50,000 to process his application for a tax declaration for a 2,426-square meter property in Barangay Pit-os, which had belonged to his mother.
Lumangtad denied the allegations, saying the money was given to him as “pahalipay (a gift).” (LCR)
