Espino suspension no longer possible
VG CITES ELECTION LAW
GOVERNOR Amado Espino Jr., who is facing a plunder case before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly receiving bribe money from the operations of the illegal numbers game jueteng in the province, may no longer be slapped a suspension order by Malacanang Palace since the election period has already started last January 13.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., seeking re-election as the running-mate of Espino, in the May elections, said the governor did not receive a suspension order from the Department of Interior and Local Government prior to January 13 and added that the Comelec will unlikely do so within the election period.
Legal minds in the capitol agreed that any order of suspension could have only taken effect before January 13 but also pointed out that only an Ombudsman’s order is exempted from the election law.
Espino is scheduled to deliver his annual report on the province in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Jan. 28 at the Provincial Capitol.
The governor is expected to list his administration’s accomplishments last year and plans for this year.
Meanwhile, Board Member Teofilo Humilde Jr. in an interview said he wishes that the cases involving Espino and his opponent Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza be resolved in the “shortest possible time.”
“In the end Alaminos at ang probinsya din natin ang magsa-suffer. Magki-create ito ng masamang image not only sa syudad ng Alaminos, kundi damay damay, sa first district at sa Pangasinan,” Humilde said.–Johanne R. Macob
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
