MANILA — For their alleged involvement in a travel junket to Thailand 10 years ago, the Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day suspension of four officials of Camarines Sur province.
The anti-graft court slapped the 90-day suspension against former San Jose, Camarines Sur mayor and now provincial board member Gilmar Pacamarra, former Sangguniang Bayan members Norman Bruzo and Roberto Primavera, and municipal accountant Imelda Caballero.
The incumbent provincial official and the three other respondents are facing trial for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, for allegedly disbursing PHP279,724.60 as expenses for their official travel to Thailand in January 2008 without any valid travel authority.
In its resolution, the anti-graft court said that “Section 13 (of RA 3019) is so clear and explicit that there is hardly room for any extended court rationalization of the law.”
Section 13 unequivocally mandates the suspension of a public official from office, pending a criminal prosecution under RA 3019 or Title 7, Book II of the Revised Penal Code or for any offense involving public funds or property or fraud on government. (Perfecto Raymundo, Jr./PNA)
