INQUIRER Global Nation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) enforced on Tuesday orders to suspend the governors of Samar and Bataan, both facing prosecution for alleged corruption.

DILG officials served an order to suspend Samar Governor Milagros Tan, but she was not at her office.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered her suspended as a corruption case against her will soon go on trial over the alleged misuse of P1.6 million in provincial funds. Samar is one of the country's poorest provinces.

The funds were spent on rice, medicines and electric fans supposedly for victims of Typhoon Kidang on December 4-5, 2001.

But a group that investigated the case, the Isog Han Samar Movement, said the funds were actually requested by officials to help victims of an earlier typhoon.

Sacks of rice bought with the funds were later found in a grocery in Tacloban City that was not accredited as a grains dealer in Samar.

An aide of Tan's said no one knew where to find the governor. She is serving her last term.

A copy of the suspension order, signed by Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, was posted at her door and copies were received by provincial government employees.

Suspended with Tan were her co-accused: Provincial Administrator Rolando Montejo, Provincial Treasurer Damiano Conde, Provincial Accountant Romeo Reales, Provincial Budget Officer Maximo Sison and Provincial Property Custodian Officer Numeriano Legaspi.

DILG officials, led by William Paler, regional DILG director, swore in Vice Governor Jesus Rejada, a close ally of Tan, as acting governor.

“I know that somebody is feeling hurt with the order,” said Rejada, 69. /Inquirer