Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Sandiganbayan has placed Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Maglanque under a 90-day preventive suspension in relation to graft and malversation charges linked to the alleged misuse of Malampaya funds.
In a resolution dated January 19, the anti-graft court’s Special Third Division ordered Maglanque to temporarily step aside from his post while the case against him is being heard.
The court said the suspension is mandatory under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, which requires the preventive suspension of public officials facing trial for offenses involving public funds once a valid case is filed.
It also instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure the immediate implementation of the order and to report compliance to the court within five days.
Maglanque is among the accused in the Malampaya fund controversy involving former Budget Secretary and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who is facing multiple counts of graft and malversation.
The case stems from allegations that P900 million meant for disaster relief following Tropical Storm “Ondoy” and Typhoon “Pepeng” in 2009 was diverted to non-government organizations allegedly linked to Janet Lim-Napoles.
Court records show that Maglanque was granted provisional liberty after posting bail in 2017 and later entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment in February 2018.