DILG enforces suspension order vs Mayor Puentevella

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday served the 90-day preventive suspension order on City Mayor Monico Puentevella.

The order was served by DlLG-6’s regional director Anthony Nuyda and legal officer Cedric Jaranilla at the mayor’s house in Barangay Villamonte.

Nuyda said Puentevella personally received the suspension order, which was issued by the Fourth Division of the Sandiganbayan on September 28. The mayor said that he is already expecting the order, Nuyda added.

With Puentevella’s suspension, DILG then appointed Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya and Councilor El Cid Familiaran as acting mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

The two immediately took their respective oaths of office before Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Montano Medel at the People’s House.

Gasataya and Familiaran will assume and exercise the functions of mayor and vice mayor, respectively, for a period of 90 days while Puentevella temporarily vacates his office, in accordance with Section 46 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Puentevella is facing graft charges for his alleged involvement in the procurement of computer package worth P26 million, which came from his Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was still a congressman of the lone district of Bacolod.

Nuyda said Gasataya, as acting mayor, has the authority to hire and fire employees, since he will assume office for more than 30 days.

Gasataya said: “My position is just temporary. I appeal for the cooperation of the (City Hall) employees for 90 days.”

Familiarian, for his part, said his assumption of the vice mayoral post is “nothing new” because he has served as acting vice mayor several times before whenever Puentevella leaves the country for an official trip. (FREEMAN)