The Sandiganbayan has ordered Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia to cease and desist from performing his duties as mayor and from any other public office which he may be holding for a period of 90 days from receipt of the order, unless a motion for reconsideration is seasonably filed.
The 7th division of the Sandiganbayan issued the suspension pendente lite citing the mandatory character of the suspension once the accused is arraigned under a valid Information and the ministerial function of the court to order the preventive suspension.
Regencia was indicted for Usurpation of Authority (Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code) upon finding probable cause that the accused illegally performed the functions of a mayor while being detained for a criminal offense.
Under Section 13 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 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. ###