MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the suspension for 90 days of Puerto Princesa City tourism office head Aileen Cynthia Amurao in connection with the charges she is facing for allegedly pocketing donations intended for the city’s tourism projects.
In a resolution promulgated on Sept. 5, the anti-graft court’s sixth division said the suspension of an incumbent public official charged with a crime under the Revised Penal Code or any offense involving public funds, property or fraud against the government is “mandatory” under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Section 13 is clear and explicit... there are not ifs or buts about it,” the court said.
The sixth division said the case against Amurao was affirmed following her arraignment on Aug. 3, 2017.
“Having entered her plea, Amurao is deemed to have waived any objection she may have on the validity of the information under which she was charged,” the court said.
It cited the affidavit of the complainants that part of the solicited money went to the personal bank accounts of Amurao.
“The acts complained of against Amurao clearly constitute an offense involving public funds,” the sixth division said.
The Office of the Ombudsman said Amurao conspired with former tourism officers Joyce Enriquez, Michie Meneses and Michael Angelo Aquino Jr. to send letters to various groups, private entities and individuals asking for sponsorship for tourism projects and related activities.
The amount of the sponsorship grants that Amurao allegedly received was not indicated in the charge sheet.