ANTIQUE – The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a one-year suspension without pay on eight members of the Antique Provincial Board for their boycott of the regular session on June 3, 2024.
The session was supposed to tackle the proposed P1.075-billion supplemental budget for the provincial government led by Gov. Rhodora Cadiao. She called the decision a victory for the people of Antique, and emphasized that political interference should never hinder development projects intended for the public.
The Ombudsman’s suspension order was served yesterday.
The suspended Provincial Board members are Egidio P. Elio, Rony L. Molina, Victor R. Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel E. Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae P. Ladislao, Keneth Dave B. Gasalao, and Julius Cezar O. Tajanlangit.
The decision, issued on March 7, 2025, by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Leilani P. Tagulao-Marquez and approved by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires on March 10, found the board members accountable for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of a public officer.
The Ombudsman further stated that if the suspension cannot be implemented due to the board members’ separation from government service or retirement, they will instead be fined an amount equivalent to their one-year salary, payable to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman, however, dismissed the charge of gross neglect of duty filed against the board members for lack of merit.
Earlier, on August 1, 2024, the Ombudsman imposed a six-month preventive suspension on the board members while investigating allegations of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty. The preventive suspension was halted, however, by a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) on November 7, 2024.
The CA’s Fourth Division granted the TRO, allowing the board members to resume their duties while further proceedings continue. In its nine-page resolution, the CA emphasized the potential harm to the electorate if the suspension were carried out without sufficient grounds, which could cause irreparable injury to the people of Antique.
This case stemmed from a complaint filed by Barangay Bontol, Sibalom Captain Rey Ventura, and Steph Jules Siblag, president of Amazing Youth Antique, who accused the provincial officials of refusing to fulfil their duties as legislators by boycotting a session to discuss the proposed supplemental budget.
Governor Cadiao had submitted the budget in April 2024, which included a P190-million allocation for solar power systems for eight hospitals. According to the complainants, the June 3, 2024 boycott of the Provincial Board session led to the removal of the solar allocation, thereby depriving approximately 200 barangays and 15,000 households in Antique of the benefits of solar power.
CADIAO: ‘JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED’
Governor Cadiao expressed satisfaction over the Ombudsman verdict, stating that justice has been served.
“This should serve as a lesson to future Sangguniang Panlalawigan members. I also feel vindicated. Projects meant for the people should be delivered to them,” Cadiao said.
She believed that the supplemental budget was blocked because the funding would support various programs and projects in the barangays, which could reflect positively on her leadership as governor.
Yesterday morning, March 17, the Ombudsman’s decision was served although the eight board members were not present at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan regular session.
When asked about the vacant positions left by the suspended board members, Cadiao said it would depend on the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The eight members are up for re-election in the May 12, 2025 national and local elections.
“Today (March 17) is their last (session). If they win, they cannot sit as SP members, mayors, or whatever positions they are running for. The Comelec will have to decide who will take the seat,” Cadiao said./PN
