By FRANK DOSDOS JR.
Correspondent
ILIGAN City – The Sandiganbayan has slapped Mayor Celso Regencia with a 90-day suspension order as an offshoot of his case for usurpation of public functions.
But the eight page resolution of the 7th division of the anti-graft court clearly stated that its decision can be appealed.
Reads part of the resolution: “Accused Celso G. Regencia is hereby suspended from his position as Mayor of Iligan City, and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period ninety (90) days from receipt of this resolution unless a motion for reconsideration is seasonably filed.”
Regencia was accused of usurpation of public function arising from his continued performance of his position despite his being detained at the Iligan City jail, according to the records. He was subsequently released from detention.
On Jan. 12, 2018, prosecutors filed a “Motion to Suspend Pendente Lite” given that the accused was arraigned under a valid information on Nov. 23, 2016 for an offense constituting fraud against the government.
They said the preventive suspension was mandatory under Section 13 of RA 3019.
Regencia tried to refute the grounds raised by prosecutors in a comment/opposition dated Jan. 19, 2018. The Sandiganbayan however was not persuaded by his arguments and so, it proceeded with the resolution that ordered his preventive suspension.
The Sandiganbayan has ordered the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement the order.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
