Espino: Suspension is not graft penalty

Rep. Amado Espino Jr.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Rep. Amado Espino Jr. on Friday said his 90-day preventive suspension ordered by the Sandiganbayan is not a punishment but “a matter of legal procedure,” and insisted that the graft charges he faced over illegal black sand mining operations were based on fabricated evidence.

Espino was charged in connection with his alleged involvement in illegal black sand mining while he was Pangasinan governor.

Seven others, who were charged with Espino, were former provincial administrator Rafael Baraan and housing official Alvin Bigay; Cynthia Camara and Lolita Bolayog of Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures Inc.; and Michael Ramirez, Gina Alcazar and Avery Pujol of Xypher Builders Inc.

Espino pleaded not guilty when arraigned on July 1.

Citing the Sandiganbayan ruling, Espino said the issuance of a preventive suspension order against him was a ministerial duty of the court.

He said his suspension was a preventive measure before final judgment would be made, and that he remained entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence.

‘Fabricated’

Espino described the graft complaint as a “fabricated, politically-motivated harassment case, aimed at influencing the results of the 2013 and 2016 elections.”

“To the great dismay of those who orchestrated the filing of this [case] … the people of Pangasinan … have consistently refused to be swayed by the dirty hand of politics,” he said.

Espino won by a landslide in his reelection bid in 2013. His son, Amado Espino III, also won in the 2016 gubernatorial race.

“Unfortunately for us, we continue to suffer the adverse consequences of this dirty game called politics. The administrative case against Rafael Baraan and Alvin Bigay is now in the Court of Appeals, while the criminal case against the three of us … are in the Sandiganbayan,” Espino said. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon