The Interior department has suspended Davao del Sur Gov. Benjamin Bautista Jr over an administrative case but is waiting for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to approve it.

Sun-Star Davao (www.sunstar.com.ph) said Thursday DILG secretary Ronaldo Puno recommended a 60-day suspension without pay against Bautista over a complaint by a provincial agriculturist.

Bautista said he is confident that the suspension order against him would not be served. He said this was politically motivated.

"Yes that’s true, but it will be served in January 2010. Meaning, that’s impossible. No suspension will happen," Bautista said.

The Sun-Star report said Bautista was referring to Rep. Douglas Cagas and his son Marc, who both denied being behind the suspension order against Bautista.

The suspension order stemmed from a supposed complaint filed by provincial agriculturist Ernesto Miro against the governor. - GMANews.TV