LRay Villafuerte volunteers to serve 90-day suspension

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte has agreed to serve the 90-day suspension ordered by the Sandiganbayan while his trial for graft is ongoing.

In a letter sent to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez last December 1, Villafuerte said he will serve his suspension from December 15 until March 15, 2017 even if he believes only the House has the power to discipline its members.

The lawmaker, however, said his decision to serve his suspension is not an indication of his guilt.

"I remain confident that all the charges against me will be proven unwarranted," he said.

The lawmaker submitted a copy of the letter to the anti-graft court in a manifestation dated December 9, but was only received on Monday.

The Sandiganbayan ordered Villafuerte suspended last September over the graft case in connection with the alleged anomalous P20-million fuel purchase he made as a governor in 2010.

The suspension order was not immediately carried out since Alvarez, who was ordered to implement it, referred the matter to the House committee on rules.

Villafuerte filed a motion for reconsideration appealing his suspension and asking for the deferment of its implementation but it was denied by the Sandiganbayan last November. —ALG, GMA News