Oriental Mindoro gov complies with suspension

MANILA, Philippines -  Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. has voluntary submitted himself to preventive suspension for a period of 90 days.

In a letter dated April 29 addressed to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Umali said he was complying with the Sandiganbayan order last Jan. 7 calling for his preventive suspension over alleged misuse of public funds in 1994.

The case, still pending with the Sandiganbayan, involved the alleged disbursement of public funds when Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, who was then the governor, together with Umali as the provincial administrator, and three other provincial officials, extended a P2.5-million loan to local businessman Alfredo Atienza for the repair of his vessel MV Ace. 

The vessel was used to help transport local produce and goods when Oriental Mindoro was hit by four successive typhoons in 1993.

Umali is a close ally of President Aquino and treasurer of the Liberal Party.

In a statement, he said part of his decision was to spare the President from possible intrigues that he (Aquino) might help him get a favorable decision on his graft case.