PAGADIAN CITY: Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu ordered the preventive suspension for 60 days of Kumalarang town Mayor Ruel Molina for “abuse of authority.” Governor Yu said Molina was facing an administrative case earlier filed by Poblacion village officials before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, allegedly for abuse of authority. Mayor Molina’s two-month suspension was unanimously recommended by members of the legislative body “to prevent him from influencing witnesses or posing a threat to the safety and integrity of records relative to his case.” Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan’s ruling on the case of Kumalarang town Vice Mayor Allan Damas for six to 10 years imprisonment because of nepotism was implemented on July 10. An order, recently received here from the anti-graft court by the Office of the provincial Legal Officer, disclosed that operatives of the Provincial Criminal Investigation Group arrested Damas “by virtue of a warrant released on July 10 for a graft conviction.” In a June 22, 2018 decision, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division found Damas “guilty of nepotism by appointing a close relative as municipal treasurer in 2006 when he was the town mayor.” The anti-graft court ordered Damas “imprisoned from six to eight years and imposed on him a perpetual disqualification from holding public office.” Governor Yu, a former first district representative, revealed that both Molina and Damas ran and won under his party in the last local elections. He disclosed that following the political law of succession, elected No. 1 councilor Raniel Dormitorio was designated Kumalarang town officer in charge.
