MANILA, Philippines — Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has been suspended for 90 days.
In a resolution issued on Sept. 21, the Sandiganbayan’s seventh division issued the suspension order in connection with the graft charges filed against Cadiao over alleged illegal reassignment and refusal to pay the salaries and allowances of a provincial government employee.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government was instructed to implement the suspension order.
Preventive suspension of an incumbent public official is mandatory if the accused is charged with a crime under Republic Act 3019, the Revised Penal Code or of any offense involving public funds or property or fraud against the government.
The Sandiganbayan said the validity of the case has been affirmed when it issued a resolution on July 19 junking Cadiao’s motion to dismiss the case.
Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 30, the case stemmed from Cadiao’s alleged refusal without valid justification to pay the salaries, representation and travel allowance and other benefits of Antonio dela Vega from 2016 to 2018, totaling P1.665 million.
The unpaid amount supposedly represented Dela Vega’s salaries and other benefits as head of the Provincial General Services Office.
Cadiao reportedly transferred Dela Vega to the Culasi satellite office.
Cadiao had earlier described the case against her as “a form of political bullying.”
In a written explanation submitted before seventh division on Aug. 20, Cadiao said there was no need for her to be suspended as Dela Vega informed her that he would be executing an affidavit of desistance.
Disbursement vouchers issued by the provincial government can prove payment to Dela Vega, she added.
The seventh division said it has not received Dela Vega’s affidavit of desistance.