Tuguegarao mayor to appeal suspension over boat scam

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Jefferson Soriano of this city said yesterday he is going to appeal the 90-day preventive suspension order imposed anew against him by the Sandiganbayan, this time in connection with the alleged questionable procurement of defective rubber boats by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

Soriano, who was a former deputy director general, was chairman of the PNP bids and awards committee for that year.

 In his motion for reconsideration, Soriano cited a provision in the Local Government Code that states that no elected official must serve suspension beyond 90 days in every year of incumbency regardless of the number of cases filed against the official.

Soriano is on his second month serving an earlier 90-day suspension for another case filed against him and several others before the anti-graft court.

The case stemmed from the purchase of three helicopters allegedly owned by former first gentleman Miguel Arroyo in the same year. The helicopters were reportedly passed as brand new units.

In January, Soriano left his office to Vice Mayor Engelbert Caronan to serve the suspension.