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Rodriguez, Rizal: Mayor Pedro Cuerpo and three other officials are
facing possible suspension from the Sandiganbayan for allegedly
conspiring and figuring in the forcible demolition of tents and
temporary shelters of several town residents.
In a petition, Ombudsman Special Assistant
Prosecutor Maria Janina Hidalgo asked the Sandiganbayan to
temporarily suspend Cuerpo, Municipal Engineer Fernando Rono,
Barangay Chairman Salvador Simbulan, and police officer Renato
Evasco for violation of Section 3 (3) of Republic Act 3019 or the
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“The Office of the Ombudsman found sufficient
grounds to charge Mayor Cuerpo et.al. with violation of the
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” Hidalgo said.
The suspension petition stemmed from charges
filed by several Rodriguez residents who alleged Cuerpo and company
of conspiring and taking advantage of their official positions to
“deprive them of the lawful use of their land and without due
process of law and without any legal basis or court order caused the
forcible demolition of their temporary shelters.”
Hidalgo stressed that the Law “provides
for the suspension of a public officer against whom valid
information has been filed under specific instances.”
She added that the suspension of Cuerpo
and the other officials during the pendency of the graft case “is
mandatory and ministerial under law and jurisprudence.”
The complainants were identified as
Leticia Nanay, Nancy Barsubia, Gemma Bernal, Ma. Victoria Ramirez,
Crisanta Oxina and Adelaida Ebio.
Aside from the suspension charges, Cuerpo
is currently facing sedition charges filed by Rodriguez Vice Mayor
Jonas Cruz before the Rizal Provincial Prosecutors Office for
allegedly “planning and effectively carrying out a public and
tumultuous uprising.”
-- James Konstantin Galvez and Jessica Bajet
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