MinDA brass gets the boot

She allowed her husband, who is not an employee of MinDA, to join a seminar in Davao City

The Sandiganbayan has suspended for 90 days an official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on a graft case for bringing her husband to a seminar in 2015 using government funds.

Suspended, according to a resolution promulgated 7 January is Charlita Andales Escano, Director IV at MinDA.

According to the information filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, Escano violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act when she allowed her husband, who is not an employee of MinDA, to join a seminar in Davao City.

Appealing the suspension order, she argued that she should not be preventively suspended, saying the suspension does not serve any purpose.

The Court also junked the other arguments raised by Escano.

It said that under Section 13 of Republic Act 3019, preventive suspension is mandatory.

“Record shows that the accused was charged under the information dated 11 July 2018 for violation of Section 3 of RA 3019, which the Court finds to be sufficient in form and substance.”

“Verily, the conditions for preventive suspension have been satisfied and the Court is duty-bound to issue the order of suspension against accused as a matter of course.”

A copy of the resolution was sent to the Department of Interior and Local Government for implementation.

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Kevin Narce Vivero. Associate Justices Sarah Jane Fernandez and Karl Miranda concurred with the ruling.

Verily, the conditions for preventive suspension have been satisfied and the Court is duty-bound to issue the order of suspension against accused as a matter of course