Dismissed N. Ecija mayor suspended from other posts

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija -- The Sandiganbayan has ordered the suspension of the mayor here who was dismissed over the illegal suspension of municipal employees in 2004.

In a five-page resolution, the Sandiganbayan Second Division granted the motion of state prosecutors to suspend Pantabangan Mayor LucioUera from ”any other position which he may now or hereafter be holding” for 60 days.

The anti-graft court sent a copy of the resolution to Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali and asked him to implement the suspension order and report to the court within 10 days.

“Any incumbent public officer… facing criminal prosecution under a valid information… or for any offense involving fraud upon government or public funds or property whether a simple or complex offense in whatever state of execution and mode of participation… shall be suspended from office,” state prosecutors said in their motion.

Uera argued that he could no longer be suspended because Vice Mayor Ruben Huerta took over his post when he was dismissed last year.

The anti-graft court, however, said, Uera’s removal from office is not a sufficient ground to junk the motion of the prosecution.

“The matter is still the subject of several litigations which are pending before various tribunals,” the Sandiganbayan resolution stated.

“The suspension order... extends not only to the position being held by the accused but to any position which he may be holding,” it added.

Uera is running for reelection under the Liberal Party.