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By NORA SORIÑo
GSD-Iligan bureau chief

ILIGAN City–The Office of the Ombudsman has slapped two members of the city council here with a three-month suspension order in connection with a graft case.

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Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz yesterday confirmed that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) served the suspension order against councilors Providencio Abragan Jr. and Michelle Sweet-Booc late last week.

Vera Cruz said  the suspension order was an offshoot of the controversial lease agreement between city hall during the administration of mayor Lawrence Cruz and Kiwalan Lumber Co. (Kilumco) that extended the lease of a two-hectare property.

The terminal lease agreement was first signed in 2004, and then in 2008. In 2013, before Cruz’s office term ended,  he again entered into a lease contract allegedly with the green light of the city council.

Lawyer Dexter Sumaoy subsequently filed a complaint against Cruz and councilors, including Abragan and Booc.

Sumaoy accused Cruz of conflict of interests, alleging that Kilumco is owned by the former mayor’s family.

He also alleged that no public bidding.

Vera Cruz said he was in a quandary as to what to do with the staff of Abragan and Booc during the three-month suspension period.

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