Nalzaro: Why the suspension is not yet served?

FOR several months, we have been hearing reports about the supposed suspension of the “political has-been” on the various administrative cases he is facing before the Office of the President. But it did not happen for an unknown reason. Is it because he has strong connections with Malacañang or there are influential persons who are blocking his suspension?

The political opposition and some concerned citizens have filed eight administrative cases against this “political has-been.” These cases include: the illegal operation the V-hire terminal in Barangay Kamagayan; the acceptance of two Dodge charger vehicles donated by Bigfoot, which ended up in his nephew’s possession; enticing policemen with cash rewards for killing criminals; and designating his wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña, as deputy mayor, which falls under nepotism; illegal appointment of two acting mayors while he was on official leave; re-opening of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill; and many others.

The “political has-been” suspects that his nemesis, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Micheal Dino, is behind all these cases. He said Dino wants him suspended because he cannot win an election. It will be a proxy war with Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella as Dino’s and the opposition’s candidate for the mayoral position.

But what is this document I obtained that there is really a preventive suspension order from the Office of the President signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last July 4, as recommended by the acting secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which investigated the administrative complaint?

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Joey Alfar and Broadcaster Roger Cimafranca for grave misconduct, abuse of authority and violation of Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, when the respondent allegedly engaged in acts that negated the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign of the city, withdrew his support from the PNP and performed acts inimical to national security.

On Sept. 6, 2016, the complainants filed the administrative complaint against the respondent, against which the latter filed his verified answer on March 23, 2018, when he vehemently denied the allegations in the complaint that he withdrew his support from the Cebu City Police Office and asserted that there is absolutely no truth to the baseless, malicious and misleading allegations.

The dispositive portion of the resolution states: “Wherefore, premises considered, the respondent Mayor Tomas Osmeña, as recommended by DILG as investigating authority, is hereby placed under preventive suspension for the period of sixty (60) days effective upon receipt by the respondent of this order. The DILG is directed to immediately proceed with the formal investigation.”

Let me be clear on this. This is only a preventive suspension while the case is being further investigated, so the respondent cannot influence the witnesses or pose a threat to the safety and integrity of the records and other evidences.

But why wasn’t the order implemented? Did somebody close to the powers-that-be interven and stopped its implementation? Or is there another “somebody” close to Malacañang who is holding it in abeyance and will implement this as 2019 elections approaches? Duha ra man ni ka buwan. Basin naay laing gipaabot nga suspension aron mataas-taas ug moabot sa panahon sa kampaniya aron gyud mapiangan kanang nagtungkawo karon sa City Hall? Mirisi.

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