Monday, November 20, 2006 Anti-graft body rejects suspension for mayor, 7 others By Marna H. Dagumboy
FLORIDABLANCA -- The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon (Odol) recently denied the petition for preventive suspension of Mayor Darwin Manalansan, Vice Mayor Romeo Lingad, and six councilors for lack of merit.
Odol Acting Director Joaquin Salazar said "the conduct of the administrative investigation of the instant case [against the respondents] may proceed without necessarily placing [them] under preventive suspension."
It can be recalled that a case for abuse of authority and grave misconduct were filed against the mayor, Lingad and Councilors Restituto Tolentino, Eduardo Bansil, Carlos Mallari, Conrado Baluyut Jr., Renato Garcia and Winston Rivera.
A petition was filed last July to place the respondents under preventive suspension pending the administrative adjudication of the case.
Under Section 24 of Republic Act (RA) 6770, commonly known as the Ombudsman Act of 1989, it is stated that a public officer or an employee may be preventively suspended pending investigation if the evidence of guilt is strong.
But Salazar stated that there is no basis to place the respondents under preventive suspension.
He noted that it was evident from the minutes taken from the Municipal Council sessions that there had been discussions on the proposed project as opposed to earlier allegations.
Moreover, it was stated that "there is no evidence initially preferred why and how the contract is disadvantageous to the municipality."
"There is no showing that pertinent documents are being suppressed or that possible witnesses are being harassed or influenced by [the respondents]," Salazar also stated in his order.
Earlier, a case for violation of Section 3 (e) and (g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Section 4 and 5 (k) of the Government Procurement Reform Act under RA 9184 and abuse of authority and grave misconduct were filed against the respondents.
Manalansan, Lingad and six councilors are accused of not informing other local officials about the project.
