Mayor hits suspension plea over graft raps

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija, Philippines  – Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco, who with seven other officials were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly falsifying resolutions of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), has decried the move of two councilors to suspend them from office, saying it has no basis.

Petronilo David, counsel of Congco, said the Office of the Ombudsman should dismiss the complaint of Councilors Julito Wycoco and Rodrigo Rivera against them.

Wycoco and Rivera filed charges against Congco, Vice Mayor Ernesto Talens Jr. and six others for falsification of public documents, malversation of public funds, gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.

Councilors Danilo Bagan, Danilo Clemente, Dante Umali, Luisito Relucio and Jose Talens and SB secretary Luisito Guevarra were also named respondents in the case.

David said the charges filed against Congco and her allies were clearly a demolition job timed with the politically charged atmosphere in the town.

He said they are filing their counter-affidavits before the Office of the Ombudsman within 10 days.