2 Batanes execs suspended

BASCO, Batanes, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended for 60 days two officials of the Batanes provincial government.

Provincial treasurer Juanito Abengana and planning and development coordinator Rolando Ventolero have been charged with graft over the non-payment of allowances of provincial budget officer Serafin Valiente from January to June 2010 amounting to P11,500.

Valiente said a Commission on Audit report on July 9, 2011 showed that the amount had been disbursed and liquidated.

In a decision promulgated on Dec. 1, but released only recently, the ombudsman dismissed the charges against the other respondents in the case for insufficiency of evidence.

Acquitted were Felix Lechuga, administrative officer II Enriquita Loreto, assistant provincial engineer Carlos Falces and provincial general services officer Jessica Salamagos.