Aurora gov suspended for using own dump trucks in gov't project

Aurora Province Gov. Gerardo Noveras, ipinasususpindi ng @OmbudsmanPh ng siyam na buwan dahil sa conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/WTRs8xpgWN

— Joyce Balancio (@joycebalancio) February 15, 2018

MANILA - The Office of the Ombudsman ordered Thursday the 9-month suspension of Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras in connection with a barangay site development project in Dinalungan town.

Noveras awarded the contract to Remnant Builders in October 2014 but used his own dump trucks, which is not included in the contractor's official list of equipment, in the government project.

The Ombudsman found the local official liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The ruling says Noveras would not receive salary during his 9-month suspension.

In his counter-affidavit, Noveras claimed that he was not aware that the dump trucks were used in the development project in Sitio Tambulangan, Barangay Nipo-o.

The complainants originally accused Noveras of grave misconduct at grave abuse of authority but the Ombudsman only found the official liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.

--report from Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News