THE Seventh Division of the Anti-Graft Court ordered to preventively suspend former Buguias mayor and Board Member Apolinario Camsol in relation to the irregular purchase of insecticides and fungicides in 2004.
The government officials together with Municipal Treasurer Anecita Suyat, Municipal Accountant Marcelino Endi and Municipal Agricultural Officers Asano Aban all from Buguias, Benguet were accused for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Camsol and the three other government personnel were accused of giving unwarranted benefit and advantage to PMB-Agro Goods and Services by awarding its contract for purchase of insecticides and fungicides worth P1.05 million without the conduct of any public bidding which is "both in violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act, thereby causing undue injury to the municipality of Buguias," stated in the minutes of the meeting of Sandiganbayan.
Rufina Fegcan, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Benguet provincial director said the DILG in Benguet has yet to receive an official copy of the order of suspension from the Sandiganbayan.
Fegcan said their office was informed by the respondent of the start of his suspension effective June 5.
"We did not receive a copy yet but usually the procedure is we receive a copy from the Sandiganbayan copy furnished to the respondent," Fegcan said.
"He did not wait really for us to serve the resolution. But he took it upon himself to start his suspension,” Fegcan added.
Fegcan said the suspension means the provincial board member will not be receiving his salaries and other benefits.
Camsol has yet to respond to calls and text messages by SunStar Baguio for his side.
During the May 2019 local and national elections, Camsol was re-elected as provincial board member.