Eight Carmen officials axed

BARELY warming his regained seat after a preventive suspension for graft allegations, Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan Jr. may have yet another worry coming. But, this time, he is not alone in his predicament. On orders of the Sandiganbayan, Mayor Budiongan will be joined by at least seven elected and appointed officials in serving the suspension.

Mayor Budiongan took back the executive's seat June 26, only to face another suspension. Wanting to get his side of the issue, Post called Mayor Budiongan, but he was unavailable for comment as he was reportedly on business in Cebu. Many observers, however, share Budiongan wife's argument that a re-suspension is tantamount to double jeopardy, which is unfair for the mayor. Information from the affected camps when contacted by the Post said they still has to get a copy of the order and added a motion for reconsideration may be explored. For similar allegations of conspiracy to railroad an anomalous realignment of a budget earmarked for the town's heavy equipment support, incumbent Carmen officials dreams may be in for a shatter.

Reports reaching the Post said a 90-day suspension order from the anti-graft court is in for majority of the incumbents, purportedly to trash the possibility of them influencing investigations. The order was accordingly released Friday, July 7. In for preventive suspension are Mayor Budiongan, Vice Mayor Josil Trabajo, Councilors Mario M. Soria, Rufino G. Adlaon, Tito R. Montajes and Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Carlito B. Torrefranca. Also in the suspension order allegedly penned by Fiscal Jacinto dela Cruz of the SandiganBayan in Manila are Municipal Treasurer Fulgencio V. Paña and Budget Officer Taciana Espejo. All comprised the 2002 officials who accordingly voted for the “spurious” enabling ordinance.

Councilor Guillermo Espejo escaped by the skin of his teeth when he was not around to sign the passed SB ordinance. The suspension leaves Carmen Sangguniang Bayan with only Councilors Ramonito A Torrefranca, Guillermo B. Espejo, Marilou G. Tamarra, Nathaniel O. Binlod, Teodulo S. Guiritan and SK Ronald E. Dispo. Except for Espejo, the above named are elected after the controversy reached the courts. The suspension accordingly stemmed from a complaint of graft by malversation of public funds filed by a co-legislator in 2001. To recall, the political campaign hostilities in 2001 sheared the Carmen legislature with losing councilor Arlen Painagan-Palgan blowing the whistle on the alleged anomaly.

The local officials then diverted public funds set for heavy equipment to pave an estimated 200 meter Tan Modesto Bernaldez stretch of road in Poblacion, Carmen. Sensing the anomaly and fearing it could blow on their faces, legislators then rushed to pass the enabling ordinance while road works have long been started. The Post tried to contact Fiscal dela Cruz's mobile phone, but it was unanswered. Also, first termer and Senior Councilor Ramonito Torrefranca in an interview with the Post said he has yet to see the copy of the order and said he reserves his comment until he could see the order. Being a senior councilor, Torrefranca, is next in line to assume the post of acting mayor, once the suspension order is fully served and acknowledged.

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