Guagua, Pampanga mayor ordered suspended

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of Guagua, Pampanga Mayor Dante Datu Torres while his technical malversation case over the alleged illegal use of P2.76 million in public funds is ongoing.

In a three-page minute resolution dated March 6, the Second Division ordered Torres to cease from performing his duties as local chief executive.

It tapped the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement the suspension.

“Accused Dante Datu Torres is hereby directed to cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising the functions, duties and privileges of the position of Mayor of the Municipality of Guagua, Pampanga, or any other public office or position he may now be holding, effective immediately upon receipt of this Resolution and continuing for a period of 90 days,” the Sandiganbayan said.

Torres was charged for illegal use of public funds under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code when he allegedly approved the disbursement of P2.76 million for the rehabilitation of the Manuel P. Santiago Park.

Investigators, however, found that a municipal ordinance was issued stating in July 2014 stating that the funds were intended for the rehabilitation of the Aurelio Tolentino Frontage Area and the purchase of a refrigirator van and heavy equipment.

The Sandiganbayan said the motion of the prosecution to suspend Torres is "meritorious" since Section 13 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act allows the anti-graft court to suspend an incumbent public official facing criminal proceedings.

"Wherefore, premises considered, the motion to suspend accused pendente lite dated January 26, 2018 is hereby granted," the Sandiganbayan said.

Division chairperson Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr. penned the resolution, with the concurrence of Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi and Lorifel Pahimna. —NB, GMA News