| | Panglao
Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan was meted a 6-month suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman
last Monday.
However,
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) have not yet received the
order, as of presstime.
The
mayor's name surfaced recently as one of the local officials with decided cases
at the Ombudsman while the DILG started implementing dismissals and suspensions
against two provincial governors and town mayors since last week.
In an
interview with the Chronicle, Kag. Dennis Hora of the Panglao Sangguniang Bayan
opposition bloc bared | |  DUMALUAN |
that
the suspension stemmed from allegations that the mayor used fuel allocations for
personal use in his privately-owned vehicles.In
an interview with the Chronicle, Dumaluan denied having received an order from
the DILG for his suspension. However, the mayor questioned, if there is indeed
an order, why this came when the election period started last Sunday.
As
of yesterday, it was 'business as usual' for the mayor as he went through his
usual functions and reported to his office at the Panglao municipal hall.
| | | On
the other hand, in separate interviews with the Chronicle yesterday, both DILG
provincial director Rustica Mascariñas and regional director Atty. Rene
Almendras said they have not yet received any order from the DILG national office
regarding Dumaluan's suspension.
According
to Mascariñas, there are instances wherein the suspension order may not
be coursed through their office and would be given to Gov. Erico Aumentado as
the implementing authority. |
It
was learned from close aides to the mayor that the latter is willing to step down
peacefully if ever the suspension order is served.
RUNNING
FOR RE-ELECTION
In
a separate interview with the Chronicle, provincial election supervisor Atty.
Veronico Petalcorin said Dumaluan could still file his certificate of candidacy
and run for re-election in the May polls even if he is suspended.
Petalcorin
explained that the ban on the suspension of elected officials during the start
of the election period does not apply if the dismissal is based on Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act.
The
Comelec do not have jurisdiction over graft related cases being handled by the
Ombudsman, Petalcorin stressed. |
