MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has issued a hold departure order (HDO) against the incumbent governor of Zamboanga del Norte who is facing a graft case for allegedly failing to act on a request to fill a vacancy in the municipal council of Tampilisan town two years ago.
Gov. Rolando Yebes, who was losing in the Zamboanga del Norte second district congressional race to Rep. Dodoy Labadlabad, may not leave the country without permission from the anti-graft court.
The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Yebes for alleged abuse of power last month based on a complaint filed by one Leo Angelo Cabarrubias.
Cabarrubias supposedly applied for appointment to the post vacated by the death of his father, a municipal councilor, in March 2011.
Yebes, however, failed to act on the application even after Cabarrubias had submitted all documentary requirements due to politically motivated reasons.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, approving the findings of graft probers, said Yebes should be held liable for discriminating and causing undue damage to Cabarrubias.
– With Roel Pareño