Ilocos Norte – The office of the local chief executive of Sarrat Town Engr. Remigio Medrano serves Preventive Suspension against Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Dennis Dante Ribuyaco on the issue alleging the latter on misconduct for his actions caused insult to the integrity of the Sangguniang Bayan and of the municipality.
The issue started on the queries to prove that there is an existing ordinance of the legislative body declaring 22 quarry permitees to hold excavation of gravel and sand at the Padsan River, wherein, the LCE found out that only 5 amongst the 22 granted permitees are registered and legitimate.
The Philippine National Police served the directive last Friday (November 17,2017), yet Ribuyaco was on-leave. Although, Ribuyaco is ready to accept face the suspension and praying for a due process of law provided by the disciplining authority.
Hark back to the ordinance; the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan Vice-Mayor Atty. Edito Alberto Balintona who was then the local chief executive said that “there should be due process before releasing such order.”
Meanwhile, former vice-mayor Esteban Agoy and the rest of the members of the law-making body during that period were called, yet, no one has a clout to speak-out for the allege faults.
For legality, according to the Local Government code of 1991–the Preventive Suspension may be imposed by the Disciplining Authority at any time after the issues are joined; when the evidence of guilt is strong; and given the gravity of the offense, there is great probability that the respondent, who continues to hold office, could influence the witnesses or pose a threat to the safety and integrity.
(Bernard Ver, PBS/DWCI)
