Eastern Samar gov defies court order on budget

TACLOBAN CITY—At the risk of being cited in contempt of court, Eastern Samar Gov. Conrado Nicart Jr. continued to defy a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing him from using his administration’s budget this year.

“I know the implications of my action,” said the governor. “I am willing to take the risks.”

Judge Elvie Lim, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in the province, issued a TRO on March 19 suspending the use of the provincial government budget until the court rules on the validity of its passage.

The P662.76 million budget of Eastern Samar for 2012 was questioned by several provincial board members who filed a petition for injunction and issuance of a TRO at the court in January.

Provincial Board Members Aldwin Uy, Byron Suyot, Enerio Sabulao, Jenny Baldono, Beatriz Reyes and Joji Montallana claimed that Ordinance No. 20 embodying the provincial budget was approved despite the failure of the provincial board to muster the required number of votes.