• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella clarified last night, Oct. 23, that his office has not yet received any official written communication, or document, from the Department of the Interior and Local Government on the reported suspension of Councilor Al Victor Espino.
He said that DILG Bacolod director Christian Nagaynay informed him through a phone call about the suspension, but a physical copy of the order of the Ombudsman has yet to be received.
Reports said that Espino has been slapped with a six-month suspension with regard a case filed by a former official of the then Bacolod Traffic Authority Office.
He did not attend the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod Oct. 22, and the SP designated Councilor Thaddy Sayson as floor leader “until such time that the vacancy” is filled.
Espino’s chairmanships of the committees on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Governance, and on Urban Planning, Development, and Basic Facilities were assigned to Councilor Caesar Distrito, and the Committee on Education to Councilor Homer Bais.
“This measure was done solely to prevent any disruption in legislative work and to safeguard the delivery of basic public services to our constituents,” Puentevella said in a statement.
He stressed that the Office of the Vice Mayor “upholds due process, transparency, and adherence to proper procedure at all times, and to maintain impartiality.”
Puentevella said he will wait for further orders or issuances of the DILG and Ombudsman on this matter. | CGC
