Sandiganbayan orders arrest of ex-CamNorte Governor Tallado, 2 others

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the arrest of former Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado and two other provincial officials over graft charges.

In separate resolutions released on February 20, the Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest against Tallado, provincial legal officer Sim Mata Jr. and supervising administrative officer Mario dela Cruz.

The resolution said it found probable cause against the three public officals after reviewing the findings submitted by the Office of the Ombudsman on the case.

"After a careful review of the records, the Court finds that probable cause exists in this case. Accordingly, let a warrant of arrest be issued against accused," the anti-graft court said.

The Ombudsman indicted Tallado, Mata and Dela Cruz for their supposed refusal to follow orders from the Civil Service Commission reinstating provincial veterinarian Edgardo Gonzales in August 2013.

The three allegedly removed Gonzales in November 2012 and transferred him to the provincial information office.

The court had also issued hold-departure orders against the three public officials and directed the Bureau of Immigration to prevent them from leaving the country.

In August last year, the Ombudsman slapped Tallado a six-month suspension for disgraceful and immoral conduct for lewd photos and video of him and a woman that surfaced on social media.

Two months later, the Department of the Interior and Local Government dismissed Tallado for charges of grave misconduct and oppression following his decision to invalidate the appointments of 48 provincial government employees. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News