The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of twelve officials tied to the controversial flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The order surfaced during the arraignment of the accused before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.
Atty. Juanito Lim, counsel for Department of Public Works and Highways maintenance division chief Juliet Calvo, informed the court that the suspension order had just been received. “We have just received that they are being suspended for six months, an order from the Office of the Ombudsman,” Lim said.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano later confirmed the action and identified the suspended personnel. The list includes Juliet Calvo, Gerald A. Pacanan, Gene Ryan A. Altea, Ruben C. Santos Jr., Dominic G. Serrano, Felisardo S. Casuno, Timojen A. Sacar, Montrexis T. Tamayo, Dennis P. Abagon, Lerma D. Cayco, Grace D. Lopez, and Frierich Karl L. Camero.
Clavano explained the basis of the order through a message to reporters. “This stemmed from the administrative case that was instituted simultaneously with the criminal charge.”
The twelve face both administrative and criminal cases tied to alleged irregularities in the flood control project. The preventive suspension restricts them from accessing their offices or leveraging their positions while the investigation continues.
