Misamis Occidental vice mayor Lemuel Acosta suspended

MANILA, Philippines — Vice Mayor Lemuel Meyrick Acosta of Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental has been suspended for 90 days.

The Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government to serve the suspension order.

In a resolution issued last Jan. 3 and released yesterday, the anti-graft court said the suspension of those facing charges is mandatory under Section 13 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“The presumption is that unless the accused is suspended, he or she may frustrate the prosecution of the case, commit further acts of malfeasance or do both,” the ruling penned by Associate Justice Ma. Threresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta stated.

Acosta was charged with four counts of graft in connection with the purchase of vehicle spare parts and items in 2004 and 2005 from a store owned by his mother.