BACOLOD City – The La Castellana Sangguniang Bayan (SB) in Negros Occidental province has unanimously voted to suspend Councilor Donato Dumaguit over his 13 unexplained absences in their regular and special sessions.
Dumaguit has been absent since his name was implicated in the alleged Philippine National Police (PNP) recruitment scam in La Castellana, an accusation the suspended councilor denied being a part of.
He also claimed uncovering an assassination plot against his life, thus his hiding.
Councilor Leonardo Bacquian said they held a special session on Monday and approved Dumaguit’s 15-day suspension without remuneration, effective immediately.
The SB also slapped a P3,000 fine.
“It is without prejudice to the filing of charges against him,” Bacquian said.
He also clarified that while all of them voted for the suspension, only the court can officially order Duimaguit’s expulsion from the municipal council.
The town council has also instructed the SB secretary to seek legal advice from their lawyer for the appropriate filing of charges.
Earlier, the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) in Negros Occidental gave its legal opinion to La Castellana Mayor Rhumylla Mangilimutan over the town councilor’s absences.
PLO head Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. said the mayor has several options to take, such as filing an administrative complaint against Dumaguit before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental, or she can also refer it via the locality’s SB based on their internal rules.
Nellas stated that Mangilimutan can file complaints before the SB and the SP.
Dumaguit is now facing charges for large-scale estafa alongside the alleged primary suspect, identified as Mary Jun Delos Santos.
More than 40 persons came forward seeking assistance after they paid significant amounts, hoping to secure positions within the PNP.
Positions in the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology were also allegedly promised. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
