Head of state university suspended

The Sandiganbayan’s fourth division has suspended the president of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) for 90 days for failing to liquidate his cash advances.

In an 11-page resolution, the anti-graft court ruled that suspending WMSU president Eldigario Gonzales was mandatory, contrary to his claim that he was exempted from such a move since Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act does not cover his cases.

Gonzales claimed he had rendered a full accounting of his cash advances, thus there was no basis for his preventive suspension.

Besides, he said he has never been involved in any act of graft and corruption in his entire 35 years in public service, thus there is no danger that he would commit any malfeasance while his cases are pending.

The Sandiganbayan, however, said the issuance of a suspension order is just its ministerial duty "and there are no ifs and buts about it." — Mike Frialde