BACOLOD City – The Provincial Legal Office (PLO) in Negros Occidental revealed yesterday morning that it was their office that recommended the expulsion of La Castellana councilor Donato Dumaguit from the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).
Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., head of the PLO, said Dumaguit’s expulsion was a disciplinary action after he failed to attend multiple council sessions, a recommendation the PLO made based on the local government code.
Nellas said Dumaguit could file a motion for reconsideration, as it is his right.
Earlier on Monday, the La Castellana SB expelled Dumaguit after failing to attend a total of 14 regular sessions. The expulsion was then concurred upon by the PLO.
Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said Dumaguit’s expulsion is not connected to the charges he is currently facing over allegations of involvement in the recruitment scam in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
In November of last year, the SB slapped Dumaguit with a 15-day suspension and a P3,000 fine due to unexplained absences.
Dumaguit has not shown up in the SB’s regular and special sessions since his name was implicated.
The councilor earlier claimed he was hiding after uncovering an assassination plot against him.
Dumaguit is now facing charges for large-scale estafa alongside the alleged primary suspect, identified as Mary Jun Delos Santos.
More than 40 individuals sought assistance from authorities after they paid significant amounts to secure positions within the PNP and PCG, as well as in the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Meanwhile, Kent Magnabe, who ranked ninth during the 2022 national and local elections, was sworn into office in front of Gov. Eugenio Lacson on Monday, replacing Dumaguit. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
