8 Antique execs claim suspension not allowed during election period

(PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Antique provincial office sought legal advice on whether or not the eight suspended Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members can attend the session next week.

The situation is brought by the fact that the provincial officials were previously suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Comelec Acting Assistant Regional Director and Antique election supervisor Wil Arceño said on Friday that the involved SP members countered that their suspension should not take effect since it was served during the election period.

The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the suspension of elective provincial officials during this time without Comelec approval.

The Office of the Ombudsman suspension order was served to Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Mayella Mae Ladislao, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Kenneth Dave Gasalao and Julius Cezar Tajanlangit.

The suspension, sought July 1, 2024, stemmed from the SP’s decision to allocate zero funding for three solar projects worth P765 million.

The Ombudsman ruled that the action undermined the mayor’s veto power, constituting grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

Although the eight SP members attended the March 24 session, they were not recognized due to their pending suspension status.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government is preparing to facilitate their replacements once it receives clearance from the central office.

“I hope that the Comelec Legal Division can provide legal opinion about this inquiry this week so the SP (members) could attend their session,” Arceño said.