TAYABAS CITY, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 4 suspended yesterday the mayor and two councilors of this city, as ordered by the deputy ombudsman for Luzon last month.
Mayor Faustino Silang and Councilors Rex Abadilla and Macario Reyes were suspended for six months for violating Sections 4 and 7 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The case stemmed from allegations that the officials hired Jose Augusto Salvacion as city legal officer while he was practicing as a private lawyer – a move that violates the Local Government Code.
A 13-page resolution of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon released on July 11 ordered the suspension of Silang, Abadilla and Reyes along with Vice Mayor Luzviminda Cuadra, Councilors Venerando Rea, Abelardo Abrigo Jr., Roy Librado Oabel and SP member Romero Cayanan. Cuadra and Rea were the first to be suspended.
DILG-Calabarzon director Josefina Castilla-Go said they have to implement a staggered suspension of the city officials so as not to create a vacuum in governance.
Councilor Wenda Saberola was named officer-in-charge (OIC) while Silang is suspended.
Cuadra will take over as OIC when her suspension is lifted on Sept. 20 while Rea will assume the post of vice mayor.