Basilan town mayor faces 90-day suspension
text HADER GLANG

The Sandiganbayan released a 90-day suspension order against Lantawan, Basilan Mayor Tahira Ismael and her treasurer Aida Ajijon for graft charges filed against them involving non-remittance of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) payments.

Mayor Ismael is the president of the Mayors League of the Province of Basilan.

The suspension order was promulgated last February 9, 2006 in Quezon City but the accused Ismael filed a motion for reconsideration, which was, however, denied by the Sandiganbayan on July 10, 2006.

Sandigabayan Associate Justice and Chairman Gregory Ong, Associate Justice Jose Hernandez and Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada signed the resolution.

In the four pages resolution under Criminal Case No. 28278, they said the accused is charged under valid information.

The resolution directed Ismael and Ajijon to immediately cease and desist from further holding office as municipal mayor and municipal treasurer, respectively.

It also directed the Governor of Basilan and the Secretary of Finance to implement the suspension order.

But Lantawan Vice Mayor Hamsarulla Hadjirul complained that up to this time Governor Wahab Akbar has not served the suspension order against Mayor Ismael, who happens to be his niece.

Citing the rule of succession, Hadjirul said he will act as mayor until the expiry of the 90-day period is lifted.

"Why he (Akbar) cannot serve the suspension order? Isn’t it because the mayor is his niece?” the vice mayor asked.

Governor Akbar and Mayor Ismael could not be reached for comment. (ZS)