Tayabas mayor, other execs suspended over bonuses

LUCENA CITY—The mayor of Tayabas City and six other local officials were ordered suspended for 90 days by the Sandiganbayan over a generous “Valentine bonus” totaling P19.9 million given to 151 municipal employees in 2009.

The Sandiganbayan fifth division, in a resolution issued

Sept. 18, meted out the 90-day suspension on Tayabas City Mayor Faustino Silang, Vice Mayor Venerando Rea and Councilors Maria Cielito Zeta-Addun, Dino Romero, Luzviminda Cuadra, Estelito Querubin and Lyka Monica Oabel for violating the antigraft law over the illegal disbursement of bonuses amounting to P132,000 each to 151 city employees.

The suspension will take effect immediately upon receipt of the order, according to the resolution, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer.

Silang, reached by phone on Saturday, said he has yet to receive a copy of the Sandiganbayan decision.