Members of top Sulu political clan suspended from office
ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of three officials in Sulu, including the two highest officials of the province, for failure to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).
In an order dated Sept. 27, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the suspension of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II, his father Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan and the mayor of Sulu town, Samier Tan, for repeatedly failing to file their SALNs.
Also found guilty of violating the law that mandates the filing of SALNs for public officials is Al-Zhudurie Asmadun, former mayor of Maimbung town.
In the case of Asmadun, the Ombudsman said since he is no longer in government service, “the penalty of suspension shall be converted into a fine” equivalent to his salary for six months.
The Ombudsman said the governor, Abdusakur Tan II, would be suspended for only a month for “simple neglect of duty.”
The governor’s father, Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan, and Samier would be suspended without pay for six months.
The case for violation of the law requiring the filing of SALNs for public officials was filed by the Tans’ political rival, Temogen Tulawie.
Tulawie demanded copies of the officials’ SALNs and found that the younger Tan filed unverified SALNs for 2013 and 2014, the elder Tan did not file any SALN for 2001-2004 and 2007-2012 and Samier failed to file his SALN for 2010 and 2011.
Asmadun did not file his SALN from 2001-2004 and
in 2006. —JULIE ALIPALA
