La Castellana councilor faces suspension, removal from office

Councilor Donato Dumaguit of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, who was implicated in an alleged PNP recruitment scam, could face suspension, or removal from office, for unauthorized absences, Teodora Sumagaysay, the provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government, disclosed yesterday.

Dumaguit failed to attend six consecutive sessions and a special session of the La Castellana Sangguniang Bayan, after he was linked to an alleged police recruitment scam which victimized about 47 police aspirants, majority of whom are residents of La Castellana.

If there are six consecutive absences, Sumagaysay said it is already grounds for disciplinary action.

La Castellana Councilor Leonardo Bacquian, chairman of the Sangguniang Bayan committee on rules, earlier disclosed that they have no choice but to charge Dumaguit with dereliction of duty, for failure to discharge his duties as a town councilor.

Dumaguit faces 11 counts of large scale estafa charges before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

Bacquain said they were informed by Dumaguit that he fears for his life.

Sumagaysay said that the La Castellana Sangguniang Bayan has to the option to lodge an administrative case against Dumaguit, either before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental, or the Ombudsman.

But since there is currently an election ban, an investigation is not allowed, nor the imposition of preventive suspension, she added.

The election ban ends on November 29.

La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhumylla Nicor Mangilimutan, who admitted receiving a letter from the municipal council detailing their action on the case of Dumaguit, said she already referred the case to the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. yesterday confirmed that they received the letter from Mayor Mangilimutan, in connection with the case of Dumaguit.

As of now, we are studying the case, to make a legal opinion for the mayor, Nellas said.*