The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo will try the administrative charges filed against the five councilors of the town of Leganes after the body found “probable cause” on the charges filed against the respondents by Leganes Mayor Enrique “Ike” Rojas.

During the SP regular session Wednesday, the body agreed that the Committee on Good Governance chaired by Board Member Atty. Suzette Alquizada will act as a “quasi judicial body” that will hear the charges of “dereliction of duty” and alleged “violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”

Last January 9, Leganes Councilors Joseph Allen Espano, Vicente Jaen, Salvador Guillergan, Jr., Adolfo Jaen II and Antonio Unarce asked the SP to dismiss the said charges for “lack of merit.” The respondents also contested that since the SP is a legislative body, it is not in the position to hear the alleged graft charges, which are criminal offenses.

The row between the councilors and the mayor started after the respondents allegedly failed to act on the request of Rojas to modify the salary of the municipal treasurer so the vacant position can be filled up by the incumbent Municipal Accountant Atty. Elsie Sumongcad.

The respondents said they acted based on the response of the Civil Service Commission to their query with regard to the request of the mayor.*