REASON FOR SUSPENSION: Politics behind budget standoff, Antique guv says

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao attributed the non-approval of the P1.075 billion supplemental budget by the now-suspended eight Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members to political motives.

The governor told Daily Guardian on Wednesday, August 7, that the opposition to the budget proposal was “very politically motivated.”

“I see the hand of possibly the head of the group because they acted in unison, and their comments and statements seemed rehearsed,” she said.

On August 1, the Ombudsman suspended SP members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae Ladislao, Kenneth Dave Gasalao, and Julius Cezar Tajanlangit for six months.

The suspension is linked to an administrative complaint filed by Bontol, Sibalom, Antique Barangay Captain Rey Ventura, and Steph Jules Siblag, president of Amazing Youth Antique.

The SP members were accused of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect under the 2017 Revised Rules of Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, and violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Ombudsman stated they found “sufficient grounds to preventively suspend [the eight officials] considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt.”

Cadiao revealed she was aware of attempts to undermine the proposal before she submitted it in May, saying, “I heard on the radio that they would do everything to prevent this from happening.”

She speculated that a specific politician might be dictating the actions of the eight officials. While these remain speculations, Cadiao emphasized that political motivations were evident, as the eight members boycotted the crucial session to discuss the supplemental budget.

“The supplemental budget is a budget appropriation that is deemed urgent. If there is no quorum, even the vice governor can seek the help of the police to get the SP members wherever they are. That is how important it is when it is deemed urgent, and it is a budget call,” the governor explained.

“I don’t understand why they all took an absence at the same time, which led to a lack of quorum,” she added.

A supplemental budget is a financial plan authorized by a legislative body through an ordinance or law that changes the annual appropriation ordinance or law. It is prepared under these circumstances: (1) when funds are available as certified by the treasurer; (2) when new revenue sources (other than those identified in the annual budget) can support the additional budgetary requirements; and (3) in times of public calamity.

In Cadiao’s supplemental budget, P765 million was allocated for the installation of solar systems in hospitals, homes, and streetlights. The specific budget allocation was questioned and objected to by the eight SP members during their regular sessions in May.

Despite the request for “prompt action,” the complainants accused the SP officials of “deliberately delayed action” on the request. This delay was evident during the June 3 session, where the boycott of the eight members prevented a quorum and halted any official action on the budget.

GOVERNOR SENDS EMPATHY

The governor expressed empathy for the suspended officials, noting that she was also subject to legal scrutiny.

“I can empathize with the SP members. We cannot question the judgment of the Ombudsman. All we can say is that it is part of our job. As elected public officials, we really have to follow the law,” Cadiao said.

“I have my own similar experience with the Ombudsman. I was also served a warrant of arrest by the same Ombudsman a few months ago,” she added.

Cadiao referred to her 2018 administrative case over an alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which led to a 90-day suspension from the Sandiganbayan, later lifted due to “lack of jurisdiction.”

Daily Guardian has reached out to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for comment on how the Antique provincial government will operate following the suspension of the eight SP members, which constitute the majority of the body. It has yet to respond as of writing.