SUSPENSION. The Antique provincial board members huddle for their decision over the requested Supplemental Budget (SB) No. 1 during their regular session on June 10, 2024. The replacement for the three ex-officio members who were among the eight suspended members of the provincial board is expected to constitute a quorum during their session on Aug. 12. (PNA file photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao hopes the replacement for three ex-officio members of the provincial board can already take their oath on Friday so the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can have a quorum when it goes on session next week.
In an interview on Thursday, she said she empathizes with the eight provincial board members who were served a suspension order before they can have their regular session on Monday.
“I empathize and hope for the best to come with the provincial board members,” she said.
Expected to replace the suspended three ex-officio provincial board members are Ricky Lavega instead of Philippine Councilor’s League (PCL) Antique chapter president Plaridel Sanchez IV; Julius Pier Pacificador for Julius Cezar Tajanlangit of the Liga ng mga Barangay; and Mart Giric Galido for Kenneth Dave Gasalao of the Sangguniang Kabataan.
They will join board members Karmila Rose Dimamay, Noel Alamis, Dante Beriong, Emmanuel Palacios, Jr., Pio Jessielio Sumande, Sr., and Vice Governor Edgar Denosta to muster a quorum.
Sanchez, Tajalangit, Gasalao, and regular board members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, and Mayella Mae Ladislao are serving their six-month preventive suspension upon the order of the Ombudsman while hearing their administrative case for oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, and violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The complaint filed by Punong Barangay (village chairperson) Rey Ventura and a law student, Stephen Jules Siblag, stemmed from the deletion of the PHP765 million fund from Supplemental Budget No. 1 intended for the solar photovoltaic installation, purchase of the home solar system and the installation of the solar-powered streetlights.
Suspended board member Egidio is hoping their preventive suspension could be lifted soon as they were just doing their function to review the budget. (PNA)
