The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered the suspension for 90 days of Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez and eight others in connection with the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices case pending against them.

Copies of the Sandiganbayan resolution, promulgated September 21, were furnished the media yesterday by Philip Arles, son of slain Judge Henry Arles, who said it strengthens the case filed against the mayor for masterminding the murder of his father, which is pending before the Department of Justice.

Philip Arles said his father was killed because of rumors which were not true, that he was following up the graft case against the mayor.

The murder complaint filed before the DOJ said the judge was suspected of allegedly helping the late Ilog Councilor Antonio “Karem” Gequillana, who was also murdered, by following up the case.

In this case, Alvarez and his co-respondents were accused before the Sandiganbayan of unlawfully repairing and replacing the motor engine of a Mitsubishi Pajero service vehicle of the Ilog Department of Education office.

John Paul Alvarez yesterday filed his Certificate of Candidacy to run for vice mayor of Ilog, with his brother, former Rep. Genaro Rafael Alvarez, filing his CoC to run for mayor of the town.

Philip Arles accused the Alvarez family of playing musical chairs in public posts to perpetuate a dynasty.

Councilor Benigno Gequillana, uncle of the slain Antonio Gequillana, also filed his CoC yesterday to run for mayor of Ilog, with former Negros Occidental DepEd chief Rizalino Tortosa as his running mate.

Nationalist People’s Coalition gubernatorial bet, Genaro Alvarez Jr., father of Mayor John Paul Alvarez, said the suspension of his son is not a conviction but a standard practice when government people are involved in cases.

He said his son will defend himself in the course of the hearing of the case, and a motion for reconsideration can be filed.

The Sandiganbayan, in its resolution, also suspended for 90 days Manuel Sitchon, Elbert Magbato, Joseph Quijano, Hegel Dumadia, Alberto Gidalonon, Joelito Cordero, Jane Joe Bobon and Arsenia Juanero of the Ilog town government.

The Sandiganbayan ordered that a copy of its resolution be furnished the Local Governments secretary for implementation of the suspension, which will be automatically lifted on expiration of the 90-day period.*CPG

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