ILOILO CITY – The eight Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members of Antique said the Office of the Ombudsman cannot enforce the one-year suspension order against them as the decision was within the election period that prohibits such move.
Provincial Board Members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae Ladislao, and ex-officio members Julius Cezar Tajanlangit of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Antique and Kenneth Dave Gasalao of the Sangguniang Kabataan-Antique, in a letter to Vice Gov. Edgar Denosta, said the Ombudsman violated the Omnibus Election Code with their suspension.
They cited Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code prohibiting the suspension of elective local officials during the election period without prior approval from the Commission on Elections.
They said they were suspended on March 7 for a year without pay for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of public officers.
The Ombudsman came out with the decision only last March 7, well within Comelec Resolution No. 11059 which set the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11, they added.
Their cases stemmed from their alleged inaction on the request from Gov. Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao to pass a first supplemental budget for fiscal year 2024.
The Ombudsman said their inaction deprived basic services to the people of Antique.
As their suspension was illegal, they SPs said they have the right to attend regular sessions.