The Sandiganbayan has ordered a 90-day preventive suspension against Quezon City Councilor Roderick Paulate pending the resolution of criminal cases leveled against him in connection with his alleged hiring of 30 ghost employees in 2010.
The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division, in its March 11 resolution, ordered Paulete “to cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising the functions, duties and privilege of his position as member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Quezon City.”
Paulate, also a movie and television personality, is facing charges in connection with his alleged hiring of the ghost employees. Earlier, he posted P246,000 bail for his temporary liberty.
The councilor, who is running for Quezon City vice mayor, opposed his suspension, saying his case already reached the pre-trial stage, and that the evidence needed by the prosecution was not in his custody.
He added that the Court of Appeals’ reversal of the decision of the Ombudsman to suspend him proved that there was absence of sufficient evidence to put him down.
Meanwhile, in a bid to empower women economically, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte is backing Distrct 5 Rep. Alfred Vargas’ initiative of a shared service facility project in Barangay Greater Lagro.
The program shall provide equipment for women entrepreneurs, and encourage women to put up their own businesses and earn on their own.
Together with the Department of Trade and Industry and Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran, Vargas initiated the formation of the equipment sharing facility that would provide free training, product development, and other technical assistance to women entrepreneurs.
Belmonte supported the program and underscored the importance of empowering women, saying: “Economic incapability sometimes deprives women of getting out from oppressive relationships.”
“Again the message is clear — we have to empower the women economically,” she said. “We can be complete on our own.”
The program also aims to increase the women entrepreneurs’ productivity so they are able to accept bulk orders and penetrate new markets, resulting in an increase in income while also showcasing the unique ingenuity of Filipino craftsmanship.
Paulate was accused of ordering his chief of staff to prepare questionable Personal Data Sheets and falsified job orders of 30 contractual employees from July 1 to November 15, 2010.
In addition, the councilor allegedly issued certifications stating that these “employees” worked for 40 hours a week and authorized his driver and liaison officer, Vicente Esquilon Bajamunde, to collect their salaries in the sum of P1.1 million.
Paulate also cited that the Local Government Code “prohibits the imposition of a preventive suspension order prior to any local elections.”
But the Sandiganbayan said: “The case is still in the pre-trial stage wherein the prosecution is seemingly in the process of collating evidence and securing its witnesses. During this process, the prosecution must be given the opportunity adequately prepare for trial under conditions which would ensure non-intervention and non-interference from accused’s camp.”
The anti-graft court added: “An administrative case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman and the criminal case before the trial court are separate and distinct from each other even if they arise from the same act or omission. Therefore, the criminal case may proceed independently of the administrative proceedings.”
