Office of the Ombudsman (PNA file photo)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government - Central Visayas (DILG-7) suspended a city councilor of this Negros Oriental capital for nine months allegedly over a graft complaint involving a construction project at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) - Bais City campus.
DILG-7 legal officer Michael Bandal and Director Farah Diba Gentuya served the suspension order Friday on Councilor Joe Kenneth Arbas.
Bandal said Arbas received the order while confined at a local hospital.
The suspension without pay will take effect immediately, Bandal said.
He added that they are not privy to the facts of the case against Arbas, except that they have been directed by the Office of the Ombudsman to serve the suspension order upon receipt of a copy of the graft complaint filed by one Michael Daniel.
Arbas countered the complaint was not related to his job as a councilor, but involved a construction project at the NORSU - Bais City campus which he is a part.
The case, he added, was the same case filed before the Bais City prosecutor’s office which had already been dismissed.
The suspension as cited in the Ombudsman ruling is “conduct prejudicial to the public interest”, Bandal said. (PNA)
