Ecija mayor’s suspension sought

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija -- State prosecutors have asked the Sandiganbayan Second Division to suspend from office the municipal mayor here over graft charges involving the firing in 2005 of municipal employees whom he accused of showing support to a political rival in 2005.

In a motion submitted before the anti-graft court, the prosecution prayed that Pantabagan Mayor Lucio Uera be suspended pendete lite or while litigation is still pending. State lawyers explained that under the anti-graft law “a public officer against whom a valid information has been filed for any offense defined and penalized under the said law shall be suspended.” Uera has been arraigned and pleaded not guilty last January 25 of two counts of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). -- Jeffrey G. Damicog