ANTIQUE – The delivery of provincial government services to the residents of Antique will remain unaffected, stressed Gov. Rhodora Cadiao following the suspension of eight Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The SP members are facing administrative cases due to the Provincial Board’s failure to approve a supplemental budget of P1.075 billion.
In response to the situation that leaves the SP without a quorum, Cadiao consulted with Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6.
The governor was informed that the vice presidents of the three ex-officio SP members could be appointed as regular SP members to restore functionality to the Provincial Board.
This adjustment would allow the SP to resume regular sessions, said Cadiao.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires suspended the eight SP members – Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao, Rony Molina, Egidio Elio, and ex-officio members Kenneth Dave Gasalao, Julius Cezar Tajanlangit, and Plaridel Sanchez IV – for six months without pay while the anti-graft office is conducting an investigation.
The investigation revolves around allegations of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty.
Reflecting on her own experience of being served a warrant of arrest for alleged violations under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Cadiao expressed sympathy for the suspended SP members and hoped the incident would serve as a lesson to all SP and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing service to constituents and adhering to legal and ethical standards.
Despite not preempting the actions of the new SP members set to assume their posts, Cadiao expressed confidence in their adherence to laws and regulations.
Regarding the supplemental budget, Cadiao said politics should not factor during the deliberations.
The Ombudsman suspension order stemmed from the complaint filed by Bontol, Sibalom, Antique’s Barangay Captain Rey Ventura and Steph Jules Siblag, president of Amazing Youth Antique, before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.
They accused the respondents of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect under the 2017 Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service for their alleged refusal to perform their duties as provincial legislators.
In April 2024, Cadiao submitted the province’s supplemental budget of P1.075 billion.
Instead of conducting a hearing on the proposed budget, there was a deliberate delay to take action, the complainants claimed.
The June 3, 2024 session to deliberate the budget was allegedly boycotted.
Among the objections the respondents raised was the proposed allocation of P190 million to buy solar systems for the eight hospitals.
This is despite the letter from Department of Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin, who told the Provincial Board that the allocation was sourced from the 80 percent national wealth tax to be used by any local government unit.
According to the complainants, the proposed allocation was reportedly deleted, resulting in the reduction of the province’s share from the proceeds derived from the development of the hydrothermal and other energy sources to less than 80 percent to supposedly lower the cost of electricity.
Such acts deprived about 200 barangays and 15, 000 households in the Antique of solar system, the complainants lamented.
In the order, Ombudsman Martires pointed out the respondents’ suspension is needed, saying their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them.
“There is a need to preserve the documents and evidence about this case which they may have control and custody, and to avoid their commission of further malfeasance and misfeasance in office,” stated Martires./PN
