CA grants 60-day TRO on Gov. Sanchez suspension

Just hours before his self-imposed deadline he gave to voluntary leave the Capitol last January 19, the Court of Appeals granted a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on the suspension of Batangas Gov. Armando Sanchez.

In its ruling, released two days after Gov. Sanchez filed his petition for the issuance of a TRO, the appellate court also gave the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of the Interior and Local Government 10 days to comment on the matter.

In his petition, Sanchez said that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez acted in “excess of jurisdiction” when she ordered his suspension.

Sanchez cited Section 13 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which states that only officials facing criminal charges can be suspended during an election period.

He also pointed out that the Office of the Ombudsman violated a provision of the Omnibus Election Code that prevents the suspension of elected officials during the election period. (AJS)

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