Eight members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Antique have been ordered suspended for one year without pay.
This after the Office of the Ombudsman found them guilty of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of public officers.
The eight were Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae Ladislao, Julius Cezar and Kenneth Dave Gasalao.
Cezar of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB-Antique) and Gasalao of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK-Antique) were ex-officio members of the SP.
In an 18-page decision approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, the officials “deliberately delayed action” on the P1.07 billion supplemental budget during their regular sessions on May 20 and 27, 2024.
The respondents also “boycotted” their regular session on June 3, 2024 thus resulting in the adjournment for lack of quorum.
The supplemental budget, intended for “critical to the public welfare of the province of Antique,” was requested by Governor Rhodora Cadiao.
The projects include a photovoltaic system in eight hospitals, the purchase of a home solar system, and the installation of solar-powered streetlights.
The Ombudsman said the officials “betrayed public welfare and public interests” of 15,000 households in 200 villages of the province.IMT
