Malacanang absolves Abra town mayor’s suspension

By Christian D. Supnad

DOLORES, Abra – Malacanang has reversed the suspension order the provincial board imposed on the mayor of this poor town in what appeared to be a politically-motivated case.

The order was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito W. Ochoa, Jr. who acted in behalf of President Aquino, granting the appeal of Mayor Robert Victor G. Seares, Jr. of this municipality to lift the 60-days suspension imposed against him by the provincial board for lack of merit.

Last March 31, the SP made a resolution imposing on Seares a 60-day suspension.

The case filed against Seares stemmed from a complaint filed by Carlito Turqueza, punong barangay of Poblacion, Dolores, and ousted president of the municipal Ligangmga Barangay and ex-officio member of the sangguniangbayan of Dolores who apparently had an axe to grind against the mayor.

Last July, Liga members voted unanimously to replace Turqueza with the league’s vice president Jessie Pilor after failing to attend Liga’s activities and other programs.

Turqueza believed that Seares was behind his relief as ABC president.

Turqueza, after being downgraded to vice president of the Leage, was not given his salary as ex-officio member of the SB for the month of July.

This prompted Turqueza to file a complaint against the members of the municipal Liga before the provincial Liga ng mga Barangay alleging that his removal as president was a violation of the Constitution and by-laws of the Ligangmga Barangay.

The provincial Liga decided in favor of Turqueza and was reinstated.

However, the municipal treasurer refused to give his salary for July because the same had already been given to Pilor.

On August 24, 2010, the Municipal Liga came out with Resolution 3 reinstating Turqueza to his former position as Liga president.

Seares in turn, issued a memorandum ordering municipal treasurer Jessie Zapata to release his salary and other emoluments.

But on May 31, the SP issued a resolution finding the mayor guilty and imposed his suspension from holding office for 60 days ruling that respondent failed to rebut the allegations of the complainant.