Ecija SP seeks 60-day suspension of Cabiao mayor

PALAYAN CITY, Philippines – The Joson-dominated Sangguniang Panlalawigan has recommended to Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali the 60-day preventive suspension of a municipal mayor in Nueva Ecija who was charged administratively for allegedly bad-mouthing town councilors in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.

In Resolution 47-S-2009, the SP chaired by Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson sought to impose the 60-day preventive suspension of Cabiao Mayor Abundia Garcia pending the hearing of the administrative charge for grave misconduct against her filed by Vice Mayor Mar Simbillo and the councilors. Garcia is a close ally of Umali.

Joson admitted to The STAR that the resolution would only be enforced if Umali imposes the preventive suspension. “It’s really up to him whether he would suspend Mayor Garcia or not,” he said. 

In recommending Garcia’s preventive suspension,the SP invoked Section 63.b of the Local Government Code which provides that preventive suspension may be imposed at anytime after the issues are joined, when the evidence of guilt is strong and given the gravity of the offense and that there is “great probability” that the continuance in office of the respondent could influence the witnesses or pose a threat to the safety and integrity of the records and other evidence.”

The SP adopted the report of the Committee on Rules and Privileges which noted that the evidence of guilt against Garcia is strong and that her continuance in office could influence witnesses.

Aside from Joson, those who signed the resolution were Board Members Rommel Padilla, Raqueliza Agapito,Wilfredo Munsayac, Melchor Morales, Zaldy Matias, Romanito Juatco, Eric Daniel Salzar, Cesar Cucio and Lance Jarwin Santos. Board Members romeo Borja Jr. and Edmund Abesamis, both Umali allies did not sign the resolution.

Recommendation

The SP resolution stemmed from a complaint filed by Simbillo and seven councilors last November claiming that Garcia stormed the session hall of the municipal council on Oct. 6 shortly after they have adjourned a session highlighted by an inquiry into the financial transactions of the municipal government.

Failing to locate them, Garcia allegedly cursed and uttered veiled threats. The mayor denied the allegations, saying the complaint against her was pure hearsay.

When sought for comment on the recommendation for her preventive suspension, Garcia said the resolution was uncalled for since she was not accorded due process. She said that the administrative charge against her was without form and substance and that the committee has no authority to recommend her suspension. “They railroaded the resolution,” she claimed, referring to the board members. She singled out Agapito who she accused of preparing the complaint herself. – Manny Galvez