Palace sets aside Pangasinan mayor's suspension order

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan, Philippines – Malacañang has set aside the suspension order meted against this town’s mayor, saying the charges against him were based on “mere suspicion and speculation (that) cannot be given credence.” 

In a three-page order signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, the Office of the President said the provincial board “failed to substantiate that the conditions prescribed by law are existent to justify the imposition of the preventive suspension” of Mayor Ernesto Balolong.

“(The board’s) reliance on complainant’s allegations is misplaced,” it said.

Malacañang acted on Balolong’s urgent petition to set aside his suspension order and recall Provincial Resolution No. 354-2012.

Balolong told The STAR yesterday that he is happy with the development and that he feels vindicated.

The provincial board’s committee on good government and accountability of public officers issued the 60-day preventive suspension order against Balolong last Aug. 15.

In a verified complaint filed before the board, Loida Cancino, former municipal treasurer of Urbiztondo, alleged that the municipal council enacted Ordinance No. 01-2012 authorizing Balolong to borrow P52.4 million to finance certain projects of the municipality.

Cancino alleged that on May 24 and 28 this year, Philippine National Bank credited P28 million from the approved P52.4 million to the PNB account of the municipality, that Balolong effected the disbursement of these loan proceeds without the necessary appropriation ordinance, and that these legal infirmities were admitted by Balolong and other officials of Urbiztondo.

“Although it was very painful, I humbly accepted it (preventive suspension) because it was an order by a higher office,” Balolong said. “By God’s grace, I’m back.”

Balolong re-assumed his post yesterday morning.

The provincial board and the governor’s office had not yet received a copy of the Malacañang order as of press time, according to board member Alfonso Bince Jr. who chaired the committee that handled Balolong’s case.