Sandiganbayan orders 90-day suspension of 6 Zambo water district execs

Sandiganbayan orders 90-day suspension of 6 Zambo water district execs

MANILA, Dec. 29 (PNA) — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day suspension pendente lite of six executives of the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD).

Suspended are ZCWD General Manager Leonardo Rey Vazquez, Department Manager Lovell Abad, Division Managers Teotimo Reyes, Jr., Arnulfo Alfonso, Rodrigo Vega and Fernando Camba.

In a five-page order, the Sandiganbayan directed the accused to cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising the functions, duties and privileges of their position, or any other position they may now or hereafter be holding, effective immediately.

The Sandiganbayan said the suspension pendente lite “is mandatory and as repeatedly held by the Supreme Court, there are no ifs and buts about it.”

The accused are facing charges for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, and Section 65(2) of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

In 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) found probable cause to indict Vazquez, et al. over the rigged bidding of the Pasonanca-Sta. Maria Line rehabilitation project wherein the respondents delayed and ultimately failed to conduct post-qualification proceedings. (PNA)