Nueva Ecija mayor suspended

CABANATUAN CITY - Malacañang has overturned its earlier decision to lift the 60-day suspension of a lady municipal mayor in Nueva Ecija imposed earlier by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

In a rare change of heart, the Office of the President granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Gov. Tomas Joson III, who questioned the Palace’s order to lift the suspension of Aliaga mayor Elizabeth Vargas.

Vargas has a pending administrative case with the SP in connection with the alleged falsification of the town’s P34.1-million 2002 budget.

In a four-page resolution, Manuel Gaite, acting Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, directed Abraham Pascua, provincial officer of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) to serve the suspension order.

Vargas will, however, only be suspended for 40 days since she has already served 20 days of the suspension order. — Manny Galvez