Ombudsman Suspends Northern Samar Mayor for Abuse

Story: Elmer Recuerdo
Photo: Grabbed from the posts of Allen Berbon

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Interior and Local Government in Eastern Visayas (DILG-8) finally served the suspension order against Allen, Northern Samar Mayor Jose Arturo Suan for abuse of authority over a year after the Ombudsman rendered its decision.

In a memorandum sent to Regional Director Arnel Agabe, DILG Undersecretary Juan Victor Llamas directed the regional office to implement the Ombudsman decision suspending Suan for six months without pay. The Ombudsman rendered its decision last January 9, 2023.

The decision stemmed from a complaint filed by Maricon Ablig whose property was used by Suan to construct a road without undergoing the expropriation process as well as just compensation. The construction also destroyed the fence built by Ablig to protect her property.

Agabe said his office received the memorandum from DILG central office last 28 December. Suan received the suspension order on Wednesday 10 January 2024.

Since the Ombudsman rendered its decision last year, however, Suan's suspension was not enforced.

Last December 1, Assistant Ombudsman Pilarita Lapitan referred the decision to DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos to implement the decision.(CJ/JMM/ER)