Underscoring the mandatory character of preventive suspension under Section 13 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), the Sandiganbayan ordered the 60-day suspension pendente lite of San Benito, Surigao del Norte Mayor Rushford Dedumo.
The accused is standing trial for violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. No. 3019.
In January 2017, the Ombudsman filed charges against Dedumo for appointing his sister, Flordeliza Coro, as a municipal consultant, sans any appropriate authority. The Information also alleges that Dedumo caused undue injury to the municipality when he allowed Coro to obtain a cash advance for travel expenses worth P22,760.00 despite not being an employee of the municipality.
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.
The Sandiganbayan directed the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the suspension order. ###