Graft court suspends Vicencio

Malabon City Mayor Amado Vicencio was ordered suspended by the Sandiganbayan Thursday in connection with the alleged anomalous awarding of the P122-million contract for the construction of a new city hall proposed three years ago.

In a three-page resolution, Associate Justice Edilberto Sandoval, chairman of the anti-graft court’s Second Division, also ordered Vicencio’s co-respondents Lida Sarmiento, Pio Dadula, Lauro Baja and City Treasurer Ernesto Pabustan, all members of the local prequalification, bids, and awards committee (PBAC) with the mayor as chairman, suspended for 90 days or three months.

The court pointed out that despite being given ample opportunity to file their opposition to the motion for suspension filed by state prosecutors, "the accused failed to do so." Also, by pleading "not guilty" to the charges during the arraignment, the accused allegedly expressed their tacit agreement to the charges’ validity.

With the law taking its course, the suspension makes Vice Mayor Mark Allan Jay Yambao acting mayor while Vicencio is serving out the order. "That is what the law dictates. I have to assume the mayorship to ensure the unhampered delivery of basic services to the people," Yambao said, as he appealed to the supporters of Vicencio to maintain sobriety in the wake of this new development.

The Sandiganbayan has also directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement the order. The DILG will submit to the court a report stating when the suspension will take effect in order to determine the termination of the 90-day suspension.

The respondents were charged on the basis of complaints filed by opposition Councilors Edilberto Torres and Chiqui Roque-Villaroel for violating Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. – Jerry Botial