Vice mayor suspended over unauthorized project

BAYOMBONG, Philippines — A vice mayor in Nueva Vizcaya has been suspended for five months for using a property  owned by a private citizen as a temporary motor pool of the municipal hall without approval from the Sangguniang Bayan.

In a resolution dated June 8, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board said Bagabag Vice Mayor Nestor Sevillena committed grave abuse of authority when he approved the purchase of construction materials amounting to P39,850 for the fencing and improvement of the property.

Sevillena was the acting Bagabag mayor when he approved the procurement.

Records showed the landowner, Norbert Ang, allowed the municipal government to use his property for free.

The provincial board said Sevillena’s action was tantamount to a contract entered into in behalf of the local government without authorization from the Sangguniang Bayan, as required under the Local Government Code.

Sevillena denied any wrongdoing, saying the arrangement benefitted the public and did not involve money as the owner allowed the use of his property for free.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan rejected Sevillena’s defense, citing procurement records, delivery receipts and other documents linked to the project.

The suspension order was signed by Vice Gov. Eufemia Ang-Dacayo.