Urbiztondo mayor slapped with 60-day suspension
THE mayor of Urbiztondo town, Ernesto Balolong Jr., who is facing charges of grave misconduct in office, abuse of authority and violation of the local government code of 1992 and related laws, has been slapped with a 60-day preventive suspension by the provincial board.
In its out-of-town session last August 13 held at the San Roque Power Corporation office in San Manuel, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved the 60-day suspension recommended by the Blue Ribbon Committee.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Board Member Raul P. Sison said the preventive suspension, intended to avoid any possible tampering of evidence while the investigation on the charges is being conducted, is “final and executory”.
“…there was unanimous agreement that the evidence of guilt is strong and considering the gravity of the offense, there is a great probability that the respondent’s continuance in office could influence the witnesses or pose a threat to the safety and integrity of the records and other evidence,” the SP decision reads.
The case stems from a verified complaint filed in July by Loida M. Cancino, municipal treasurer of Urbiztondo, alleging that the local government headed by Balolong took a P52.4 million and started using parts of the amount without an approved appropriation by the Provincial Board.
Balolong filed his response on August 9, 2012.
The complaint and response was assessed by the SP Committee on Good Governance and Accountability of Public Officers chaired by Board Member Alfonso Bince on August 10.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
As of press time, Balolong has yet to receive copy of the suspension order but said it is “not acceptable” and that it is tainted with political motivation.
He intends to file a counter legal action against the order.
Based on Cancino’s statement, Balolong allegedly made withdrawals from the proceeds of the approved loan from the Philippine National Bank in the amount of P26-million without an approved appropriation ordinance.
These withdrawals from the municipality’s PNB bank account was effected when he issued checks amounting to P20-million and P6-million respectively under his name as his cash advances.—with reports from Johanne Margarette R. Macob and Eva Visperas
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