Suspension of Cotabato gov begins August 23

Suspended Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco smiles as she answers questions about the graft charges against her during news conference in Kidapawan City Friday. (contributed photo)

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco began serving her 90-day suspension meted on her by the Sandiganbayan on Friday, August 23.

On Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Governments brought to Catamco the anti-graft court’s suspension order contained in a six-page resolution issued on July 4 by its sixth division.

“I’m saddened with this development but I have to respect the anti-graft court, I have to abide by the law,” Catamco said.

She added the 90-day mandatory preventive suspension is part of the process that she, or any public official,  should respect.

Catamco is facing several cases in the Sandiganbayan, one of which is as the private respondent in a graft case against Orville Fua, the former mayor of Lazi, Siquijor province./lzb