Suspension order out vs Malabon mayor

Embattled Malabon City Mayor Amado Vicencio will have to step down and leave his post for at least three months after the Sandiganbayan directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement the 90-day preventive suspension order it earlier promulgated against the local chief executive and four other city officials.

In a five-page order, the anti-graft court’s second division junked all arguments presented by the mayor’s counsel in trying to quash the suspension.

Vice Mayor Mark Alan Jay Yambao should be taking over Vicencio’s post as stipulated under the law of succession even as graft charges filed against Vicencio and four other respondents – Pio Dadula, Ma. Lida Sarmiento, city treasurer Ernesto Pabustan and Councilor Lauro Borja – are being heard by the court.

Vicencio, chairman of the local pre-qualification, bid and awards committee (PBAC) with the co-accused as members, were earlier charged with violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged anomalous awarding of the P122-million city hall project in Barangay Catmon to an unqualified contractor, ERG-PMGT consortium.

Asked to comment on the mayor’s imminent suspension from office, pro-administration officials, led by the mayor’s son, Councilor Arnold Vicencio, said they have yet to receive a copy of the resolution. – Jerry Botial