Batangas braces for suspension of governor

BATANGAS CITY — All gates leading to the capitol grounds here have been blocked by dump trucks and bulldozers since yesterday morning, following news of an impending six-month suspension order from Office of the Ombudsman against Batangas Gov. Arman Sanchez spread over the weekend.

The STAR source who requested anonymity said that inside information from the Office of the Ombudsman said that a suspension order will be served to Sanchez tomorrow in connection with the alleged anomalous P350-million computerization program.

The suspension stemmed from the graft charges filed by Vice Gov. Ricky Recto before the Ombudsman two years ago for alleged lack of bidding in the computerization project.

If the suspension is served tomorrow, Sanchez will be the second government official suspended this year by the Ombudsman.

In a mobile phone interview, lawyer Ronnie Geron, Batangas provincial administrator, said they have yet to receive a copy of the suspension order.

Geron said the municipal mayors immediately flocked to Sanchez’s office at the capitol to show support to the beleaguered governor.

"We’re really frustrated if the suspension will push through," Geron said, adding that they were not expecting the suspension order because of the six-month suspension that was already been slapped against six members of the Bids and Awards committee who approved the computerization contract.

"The Ombudsman actually did not include Gov. Sanchez in the suspension order because of insufficient evidence linking him to the computerization project," Geron explained.

Asked if they’re planning to barricade the capitol grounds to prevent any representative of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) from serving the suspension order, Geron said they will act if something comes up but did not elaborate.

Sta. Teresita Mayor Adorlito Ginete, president of the Municipal Mayor’s League of Batangas, said they have yet to come up with a plan.

As of press time, supporters of the governor and town mayors allied to him continue to converge inside the provincial capitol.