Naga mayor starts serving suspension

CEBU, Philippines — The 90-day preventive suspension against Naga City Mayor Valdemar “Val” Chiong has finally been served earlier this week.

Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG) Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales said Chiong received the order on September 2 at 2:50 p.m.

“Ning-manifest naman siya daan na mo-comply siya. Naka-leave siya, anytime moabot na, modawat daw siya,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said Chiong was compliant with the suspension order. Since he was on leave, the suspension was served to him in his house.

The Sandiganbayan ordered the suspension of Chiong in relation to the graft case filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The case stemmed from his issuance of a mayor’s business permit to Petronas Energy Philippines Inc. despite the lack of the pre-requisite Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

“In my own opinion unta, the preventive suspension is to prevent the accused of influencing the evidence but for now, I am the last witness which is scheduled on August 29 and we have submitted our official affidavit. What is there to suppress, what is there to prevent?,” Chiong told The Freeman in an earlier interview.

Chiong, however, said he respect the rule of law and will comply with the order of the court.

Vice Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong will serve as acting mayor for the duration of her father’s suspension. — FPL (FREEMAN)