The maximum penalty of six months preventive suspension allowed on administrative cases were imposed by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires against majority members of the Antique provincial board in an order dated August 1, 2024 and received by the Governor’s office on August 5.
Based on a complaint filed earlier by Rey O. Ventura and Stephen Jules S. Siblag, the Ombudsman found merit to charges of “oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty”, and for voilation of the ethical standards law or Republic Act 6713, against:
“Board members Egidio P. Elio, Rony L. Molina, Victor R. Condez, Alfie Jay O. Niquia, Plaridel E. Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae P. Ladislao, Kenneth Dave B. Gasalao, and Julius Cezar O. Tajanglangit.”
The complaint and consequently the “administrative suspension for six months without pay” stemmed from the provincial board’s “deliberate delay” and even a boycott of Supplemental Budget number 1 amounting to P1,075,610,772.00 submitted by the governor on May 9, 2024.
Majority of the Antique board members failed to act on the regular sessions numbers 18, 19, 20, and 21 from May 20 to June 10, 2024, the complaint said.
(image of Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires | photo credit: Darren Langit via Rappler)
