Sandigan suspends N. Cotabato gov

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza has been suspended for 90 days in connection with a graft case filed against her.

The Sandiganbayan First Division ordered yesterday the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the suspension order.

In its ruling, the anti-graft court noted that Section 13 of Republic Act 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act states that “the suspension of any incumbent official against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid complaint for any offense involving fraud upon government... in whatever stage of execution and mode of participation... is mandatory.”

The court should issue the suspension order ” upon a proper determination of the validity of the information,” the Sandiganbayan ruling stated.

“The presumption is that unless the accused is suspended, he may frustrate his prosecution or commit further acts of malfeasance or do both,” it added.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed charges against Mendoza over the alleged illegal procurement of diesel fuel worth P2.4 million by the provincial government from a gasoline station owned by her mother.

Ombudsman probers said the transaction did not go through public bidding as required under the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Mendoza said she would abide by the Sandiganbayan ruling.

However, she maintained that the allegations against her were without basis, adding that she would exhaust all legal means to clear her name. answer the charges.