Sandiganbayan suspends Antique gov over graft case

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 27) — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao over a graft case she is facing for the alleged non-payment of salaries of a provincial employee.

"The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is requested to inform this court of the dates to which Provincial Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao started serving her preventive suspension and the date of its termination," the anti-graft court's 7th division said in a resolution approved on Sept. 21.

The court said the suspension is necessary to prevent Cadiao from using her current position to intimidate possible witnesses and commit other acts that may affect the prosecution of the case.

Cadiao was charged after she allegedly ordered the illegal transfer of Provincial General Services Office head Antonio dela Vega to a satellite office.

She also supposedly refused to pay his salary and benefits from 2016 to 2018.

Cadiao has yet to respond when sought for comment.