CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno attended on Friday the pre-trial proceedings of his graft cases in relation to the heavy equipment lease when he was still governor in Misamis Oriental.
According to William Guialani, who was present Friday, March 23, the Sandiganbayan 2nd division in Manila, gave Moreno’s camp 10 days to explain why the anti-graft court should not suspend the mayor while facing trial.
Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act mandates the suspension of a public official from office pending a criminal prosecution.
Guialani was at the pretrial proceedings to represent the case complainant Antonio Nuñez.
“Legally naa ko didto (I was there) through Special Power of Attorney,” he said.
City Administrator Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr., said the pretrial held on Friday was part of the normal proceedings of the case.
Sabuga-a said there is nothing to worry about, especially since the first four graft cases were already dismissed.