Malacanang denies Abra mayor’s suspension appeal

By Karlston Lapniten  

LAGAYAN, Abra -- The Office of the President rejected the appeal of husband-wife tandem mayor Jendricks Luna and vice mayor Joy Chrisma, of Lagayan on their six-month suspension for dishonesty and grave misconduct.

In a letter issued by Executive Secretary Salvado Medialdea, dated March 13, but was only made available to press on March 26, Malacanang upheld the suspension ruling of the Sangunniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) last December 2018 in connection with an uncompleted 1,740-meter road project Ba-I village worth P1,071,850.

The suspension stemmed from a complaint by Lagayan councilor Noel Cortez file on August 2018 regarding the Internal Revenue Allotment-funded road reported as complete by mayor Luna.

Following due proceedings, the Provincial Board ruled to suspend the husband-wife officials but the Lunas appealed the ruling at the Office of the President citing Administrative Order 22 series of 2011 by then Pres. Benigno Aquino III, which gave an appellant to the Office of the President 60 days to stay pending final decision.

Last February, Department of Interior and Local Government – Cordillera Director Mario Iringan issued a stay order against the suspension.

However, the Malacanang letter ruled to resume the suspension already imposed before the same was stayed by the DILG.

“The nature of the cases involves corruption and illegal disbursement of public funds. It is even alleged that after Regional Director Iringan issued the order staying the execution of the SP’s Decisions, appellant Mayor Jendricks Luna, without authority withdrew millions of pesos from the bank account of the municipality with the Land Bank of the Philippines,” it added.

Further, the Palace letter said the prohibition against suspensions within the election period cannot apply because the suspension was issued prior to the election period and directed an immediate implementation of the suspension.

Considering the seriousness of these allegations, allowing the status quo to continue may result in the dissipation of the Municipality’s public funds should the accusations against the appellants are proven, Medialdea added.

Aside from the first order, the Provincial Board also slapped the Lunas with two more 6-month suspension each for two uncompleted road constructions, similarly reported as complete, on December and January.

In deciding the case, the provincial lawmakers ruled “respondent Jendricks Luna’s act of making it appear that the subject project was complete but, in truth, it was not even started is a blatant lie and a clear act of dishonesty which warrants administrative penalty.”

They added, Vice Mayor Luna is likewise liable because without her as presiding officer of the Sangunniang Bayan (municipal council), the project and the funding would not have been

approved and with it, his husband, “was able to proceed with the commission of his dishonest acts.”