WMSU prexy rejects graft court's suspension order

Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) president and Nuevo Zamboanga Movement congressional aspirant Eldigario Gonzales on Saturday denied reports he was suspended for 90 days by the Sandigan Bayan over graft cases.

"There is no such thing as suspension order from ombudsman for graft because I don't have pending case," Gonzales said during his weekly radio program "Bos Del Pueblo" over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Radyo Agong.

Gonzales' suspension was reported Friday by GMANews.TV, the official website of GMA news and current affairs, which said that he is facing 22 counts of graft over failure to liquidate his cash advances.

The report further said the graft court held that the suspension was mandatory, dismissing Gonzales' claim that Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act do not cover his cases.

However, Gonzales said his office did not receive any suspension order. "To my surprise that is already spreading through text messages, but for me I'm a survivor and always a winner."

Sources from the camp of Nuevo Zamboanga said that the negative report against Gonzales circulating in the city is a smear campaign by his detractors to destroy his reputation.

"He (Eldie Gonzales) is just like a tree with so many fruits that everyone wanted to throw stones at," said Jose Mari "Bong Bue, WMSU instructor.

Gonzales was in the national headlines last year following the kidnapping of his daughter by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf, who freed the girl in August after a two-month captivity. It is not known whether any ransom was paid. (HG)