The Sandiganbayan ordered the 90-day suspension pendente lite of Sarangani Provincial Agricultural Development Officer Sittiehawa Marohomsalic and Budget Officer Wahid Diama who are standing trial for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019). The case involved irregularities in the award and distribution of 15,000 pieces of ABC My Practice Book II worth P1,500,000.00 in 2003.
In a five-page Resolution, the anti-graft court reiterated that “preventive suspension is proper to prevent the accused from committing further acts of malfeasance while in office. For as long as the anti-graft charge against the accused remains in litigation, without distinction as to stage of the proceeding, by the literal and clear provision of said law, suspension pendente lite is availing.”
The court also directed that a copy of the Resolution be transmitted to the office of the Governor of Sarangani for implementation of the suspension order.
Under Section 13 of R.A. No. 3019, 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. ###