Lawmaker facing trial for graft suspended

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has issued a 90-day preventive suspension order against South Cotabato Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. who is facing trial for graft.

In a ruling issued on March 6, 2012 but released only yesterday, the anti-graft court said the suspension was issued under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has been directed to implement the order since Acharon is an incumbent congressman representing the first district of South Cotabato.

Special Prosecutor Sheri Zales who is handling the case said the charges against Acharon involve the alleged issuance of illegal travel orders to General Santos City Councilors Jose Orlando Acharon and Minda Atendido for a trip to Los Angeles in June 2006.

Acharon allegedly issued the travel order despite a previous order of disapproval issued by then Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

By doing so, the lawmaker allegedly gave undue preference to Councilors Acharon and Atendido in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The prosecution, like in the case of Presidential Assistant on Climate Change and Laguna Lake Development Authority general manager Nereus Acosta, sought for mandatory preventive suspension.

Under Section 13 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, suspension is mandatory when the accused public official is charged with a case involving fraud to prevent the official from hampering his prosecution by intimidating or influencing a witness, tampering with documentary evidence, or committing further acts of malfeasance.