The Sandiganbayan ordered the 90-day suspension pendente lite of San Jose, Camarines Sur ex-mayor, now provincial board member, Gilmar Pacamarra, former Sangguniang Bayan members Norman Bruzo and Roberto Primavera, and municipal accountant Imelda Caballero.
Pacamarra, et al. are facing trial for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) for disbursing P279,724.60 as expenses for their official travel to Thailand in January 2008 without any valid travel authority.
In the Sandiganbayan Resolution, the anti-graft court explained that “Section 13 [of R.A. No. 3019] is so clear and explicit that there is hardly room for any extended court rationalization of the law. Section 13 unequivocally mandates the suspension of a public official from office pending a criminal prosecution under R.A. No. 3019 or Title 7, Book II of the Revised Penal Code or for any offense involving public funds or property or fraud on government.” ###