3 Davao City officials get Court of Appeals relief

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) has temporarily stopped the suspension of three officials of Davao City by the Office of the Ombudsman over the demolition of a government-funded infrastructure named after the father of Speaker Prospero Nograles.

In a three-page resolution issued Thursday afternoon, the CA’s 12th division granted the petition of Davao City administrator lawyer Wendel Avisado, city engineer Jose Gestuveo Jr., and drainage maintenance unit chief Yusop Jimlani for a temporary restraining order (status quo ante) stopping the Ombudsman and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from carrying out their preventive suspension.

The CA said the TRO would be effective for 60 days upon receipt by the Ombudsman and DILG.

The Ombudsman and DILG were given 10 days to comment on the petition of the three Davao City officials, who, in turn, have five days to submit their reply thereafter.