Eight members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Antique were suspended for six months without pay due to their failure to deliberate on the province’s P1.07 billion supplemental budget.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued the suspension order on the concerned SP officials as the anti-graft office continues to investigate allegations of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty against them.
The Office of the Ombudsman said suspension is necessary because the charges involve offenses that could warrant dismissal from service. The order is not a penalty but a precautionary measure to prevent the officials in question from using their positions to influence the ongoing investigation.
The issue stemmed from a complaint filed by Bontol, Sibalom, Antique Barangay Captain Rey Ventura, and Steph Jules Siblag, president of Amazing Youth Antique, accusing the SP members of failing to fulfill their duties as legislators.
During a regular session of the Antique Provincial Board, the accused officials said they would address the suspension order. This marks the first time in Antique’s political history that eight SP members have been simultaneously suspended.
The deliberation on the supplemental budget was scheduled but was boycotted by the eight members, resulting in a lack of quorum.
One contention was the P190 million budget for purchasing solar systems for eight hospitals, despite a letter from Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin informing the provincial board that the allocation came from the 80 percent national wealth tax, which any local government unit can use.
Due to the suspension, the installation of photovoltaic systems in eight hospitals, the purchase of home solar systems, and the installation of solar-powered streetlights using these funds have been delayed.
This affects the livelihood of 200 barangays and 15,000 households awaiting home solar systems.
Meanwhile, the Committees on Health and Sanitation and Peace and Order of the Iloilo Provincial Board recommended the filing of an administrative complaint against San Joaquin Police Station Chief Police Captain Felix Perez for not acknowledging a letter from San Joaquin Mayor Ninfa Garin.
The letter was to accompany Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin and other local officials during an inspection of the closed old hospital site, which is at the center of a disputed land ownership claim.
The committees also recommended that the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) issue guidelines delineating the authority between the local chief executive and the provincial director of the Philippine National Police.
They also called for the Sangguniang Bayan of San Joaquin to conduct an administrative investigation against barangay captain Christopher Selibio of Barangay Purok V.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government was urged to conduct a reorientation for punong barangays regarding the scope of their authority and functions.
