TUGUEGARAO CITY – Mayor Jefferson
Soriano has returned to work after the suspension order meted against him for
his alleged involvement in a P34-million helicopter scam lapsed.
Soriano, then deputy director general for
administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Arroyo
administration, was meted a 90-day preventive suspension in October last year.
“It’s back to business. We can now move on
and work for the betterment of our city,” Soriano said during a people’s day
activity here on Friday.
In January, the mayor voluntarily stepped
down from his post after the Sandiganbayan affirmed the suspension imposed by
the Ombudsman on him.
Soriano was implicated in the PNP helicopter
controversy along with then PNP chief Jesus Verzosa.
Both are currently facing criminal charges
for the reported anomalous purchase of two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters for
the PNP in 2009.
The PNP reportedly purchased the helicopters
as brand new from the Manila Aerospace Trading Corp. An investigation, however,
showed these were secondhand units, previously owned by former first gentleman
Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Soriano was the chairman of the PNP bids and
awards committee when the allegedly anomalous transaction
occurred.
Meanwhile, Soriano told The STAR that he has
appealed a new 90-day suspension order imposed on him by the anti-graft court
in March for the questionable procurement of rubber boats.
He cited a provision of the Local Government
Code that states that no elected official must serve a suspension beyond 90 days
in every year of incumbency regardless of the number of cases they are involved
in.
Soriano said his involvement in both cases
was purely ministerial.
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