MANILA, Philippines -- The Court of Appeals has granted Social Security System president Romulo Neri?s petition to stop the Ombudsman from suspending the SSS chief in connection with the cancelled $329-million ZTE-NBN deal.

The appellate court told the Ombudsman to first resolve Neri?s motion for reconsideration before proceeding with the case.

"The petition is granted for being meritorious. Accordingly, the order of the Office of the Ombudsman dated Sept. 25, 2009, directing the immediate implementation of the suspension of herein petitioners is nullified for being premature,? according to the decision.

?The Ombudsman is hereby directed to resolve with dispatch the petitioner's motion for reconsideration and is enjoined from executing its joint decision until after the aforesaid decision becomes final and executory,? it added.

The appellate court in October granted Neri?s petition for a temporary restraining order stopping the implementation of his suspension.