MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has ordered Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia suspended for 90 days while a case against him charging him of usurpation of authority is being heard in the court.
The anti-graft court’s 7th Division ordered Regencia to cease and desist from performing his duties as mayor and any other public office he may be holding.
Regencia was indicted for usurpation of authority upon the finding of probable cause that he illegally performed the functions of a mayor while being detained for a criminal offense.
The Office of the Ombudsman explained that under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, “any incumbent public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this Act or under Title 7, Book II of the Revised Penal Code or for any offense involving fraud upon government or public funds or property, whether as a simple or as a complex offense and in whatever stage of execution and mode of participation, is pending in court, shall be suspended from office.” (PNA)
