MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan issued a 90-day preventive suspension order yesterday against Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano who is facing trial for his alleged involvement in the P131.55-million rubber boat scam in 2008.
Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio was directed to implement the directive and inform the anti-graft court of the action he has taken.
Sandiganbayan Third Division clerk of court Dennis Pulma said the preventive suspension order was issued pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Pulma said Associate Justice Alex Quiron penned the suspension order, with Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Samuel Martires concurring with it.
Soriano, a former police deputy director, is among the res-pondents in the graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman last year against former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa.
The charges stemmed from their involvement in the allegedly anomalous and overpriced purchase of 75 defective police rubber boats in 2008 valued at P131.55 million.
Pulma said Soriano is the only respondent currently holding a government position, thus he is the only one that can be subjected to preventive suspension pending litigation.