Lapid gets a TRO

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - Embattled Gov. Lito Lapid was able to buy time yesterday after the Court of Appeals prevented Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim from enforcing the one-year suspension the Ombudsman imposed on the actor-turned-politician and three others in connection with an alleged P20-million lahar sand quarrying scam.

In issuing a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO), the appellate court directed Lim and Ombudsman Aniano Desierto to comment within 10 days on Lapid's petition to nullify the suspension order, after which the governor has five days to reply.

At Malacañang, President Estrada said he will let the courts decide Lapid's case, saying he must respect the separation of powers between the executive branch and judiciary.

Mr. Estrada said in a statement that while he has forgiven Lapid for his "personal offense," the governor must now seek forgiveness of Pampanga residents for the graft charges he is facing.

The Ombudsman issued the suspension order on Lapid, Vice Gov. Clayton Olalia, provincial treasurer Jovito Sabado and SPO4 Nestor Tadeo after rejecting their appeals.