Ex-Siquijor governor barred from government service

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the perpetual disqualification from public office of former Siquijor governor Orlando Fua Jr.

In a 27-page decision promulgated yesterday, the anti-graft court’s seventh division found Fua guilty of obstruction of justice for interfering in the arrest of a drug suspect.

Fua was also ordered to pay a fine of P6,000.

The former governor was accused of preventing the arrest of James Largo, former chairman of Barangay Tigbawan in Lazi town, on Nov. 25, 2010.

Inspector Reynaldo Valmoria, the leader of the police team who raided Largo’s residence, said Fua tried to stop them from arresting the suspect even though he was caught in possession of illegal drugs.

The Sandiganbayan gave weight to the testimonies of Valmoria and the other members of the raiding team that there was no ill motive for them to testify against Fua.

“There is nothing on record that would…cast doubt on the credibility of the police officers,” the decision penned by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses read.

Associate Justices Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta and Bayani Jacinto concurred with the ruling.

The court said Fua’s presence at the scene was also suspicious.

“There was no province-wide calamity or disaster or a significant military or police operation involving illegal drugs carried out by police authorities...only the service of a search warrant to a person on the drug watchlist,” the court declared.