For graft case in Negros Occ Sandiganbayan suspends mayor

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in Quezon City has ordered the DILG to put on a 90-day preventive suspension Ilog (Negros Occ) town Mayor John Paul Alvarez and eight LGU employees in connection with a graft case filed against them.

The four-page resolution, promulgated last Sept. 21 and penned by chairperson Roland Jurado and concurred by associate justices Alexander Gesmundo and Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, said there is probable cause that Alvarez and his co-accused violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The case involved the allegedly unlawful repair and replacement of the motor engine of a Mitsubishi Pajero service vehicle of the DepEd in Ilog town. The mayor allegedly ordered the release of P100,000 for the repair but did not however materialize.

The DILG is expected to order Alvarez to relinquish his post to Vice Mayor Nelson Genito. Also suspended by the Sandiganbayan were members of the Ilog Bids and Awards Committee—chairman: Municipal engineer Manuel Sitchon; vice chairman: planning officer Elbert Magbato; and members: municipal health officer Joseph Quijano, budget officer Hegel Dumadia, municipal treasurer Alberto Gidalanon, DepEd supervisor Joelito Cordero, drafstman Jany Joe Bobon and property officer Arsenia Juanero.

Mayor Alvarez, son of Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr and brother of 6th district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, has been tagged also as the mastermind in the killing of Kabankalan City RTC Judge Henry Arles last April.

The NBI, along with the victim’s sons Philip and Albert Arles, filed murder charges against the mayor and six others last July 27 before the DOJ in Manila.

The Alvarezes denied involvement in the murder of Judge Arles, and called the allegations as “politically motivated.”

Philip, who furnished the media copies of the Sandiganbayan order last Wednesday, is running for congressman against incumbent Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Paul’s sister.  (FREEMAN)