BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — A city police chief in Negros Occidental was suspended for six months without pay after he was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Superintendent Noel Mana-ay, Cadiz City Police chief, was suspended by the Ombudsman for the Military effective Feb. 15 to Aug. 15, according to Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara Jr., acting Negros Occidental Police director.
Guara said Sr. Insp. John Despi, Cadiz Police deputy, has been designated as officer-in-charge of the city police force, until a new chief is selected.
Mana-ay was charged by lawyer Rowena Guanzon for allegedly filing unlawfully an affidavit in favor of respondents in a vote-buying complaint against former Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. and his brother, Patrick Escalante, who is now the city mayor.
Guanzon and her mother, also a lawyer, accused Mana-ay of engaging in partisan politics during the May 2010 elections in Cadiz City.
With his suspension, Guara said Mana-ay will not be allowed to serve during the May 13 elections.
Guara added that nine more police chiefs in Negros Occidental have also been recommended to the Comelec for transfer for the exigency of the service.
The recommendations for transfer, involved Sr. Insp. Arnold Mesias of E.B. Magalona town, Sr. Insp. Jason Manguilimutan (Isabela), Sr. Insp. Lowell Garinganao (Cauayan), Sr. Insp. Mary Rose Pico (Pontevedra), Sr. Insp. Hector Balbon (Murcia), Sr. Insp. Gary Alan Resuma (La Castellana), Insp. Jerry Nacion (San Enrique), Chief Insp. Eduardo Corpus (La Carlota City) and Chief Insp. Gabriel Gutierrez (Sagay City). (FREEMAN)