TAYABAS, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has ordered the suspension for 90 days of the mayor and vice mayor along with four councilors of this city for contracting the services of a private lawyer.
Adelma Maullion, director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Quezon, served the suspension order on Mayor Faustino Silang, Vice Mayor Venerando Rea and Councilors Luzviminda Cuadra, Rex Abadilla, Macario Reyes and Abelardo Abrigo Jr. on Tuesday.
“Hiring Jose Augusto Salvacion as city legal officer while practicing as a private lawyer is contrary to the mandate of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code,” the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division stated in its ruling.
“Jurisprudence…prohibits local governments from seeking legal representation from private counsel, it added.
The DILG appointed Councilor Wenda Saberola de Torres and Councilor Sergio Caagbay as acting mayor and vice mayor, respectively.