MANILA, Philippines – Sinuspinde ng Office of the Ombudsman si San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio “Jun” Punsalan, Jr. ng hanggang anim na buwan dahil sa tangkang panunuhol ng P80 milyon mula sa isang steel company.
Sa kautusan ng Ombudsman na may petsang Setyembre 30 ngunit inilabas lamang nitong Oktubre 6, sinabi ni Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas na ang preventive suspension order ay nag-ugat sa reklamong inihain ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) na nag-aakusa kay Punsalan Jr. ng paghingi ng P80 milyon mula sa San Simon-based Real Steel Corp. kapalit ng hindi pagbawi ng alkalde ng municipal ordinance na naggagawad ng tax incentives sa naturang kompanya.
Nahaharap ang alkalde sa reklamong alleged grave misconduct, serious dishonesty at conduct prejudicial to the best of interest of the service.
Matatandaan na humingi ng tulong sina Real Steel representatives Irwin Chua at Melodie Arellano sa mga awtoridad dahilan para maglunsad ng entrapment operation ang NBI noong Agosto 5, 2025 laban kay Punsalan na naaktuhang tumatanggap ng marked money.
“Based on the evidence on record, it is preliminarily established that the guilt of the Respondent Abundio “Jun” S. Punsalan, Jr. is strong and the charges against him involve grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial against the interest of the service which, if duly proven, would warrant the penalty of removal from the service,” saad sa Resolusyon.
Ayon pa sa Ombudsman, “there is enough basis to conclude that the mayor’s continued stay in office “may prejudice the just, fair and independent disposition of the present cases.”
“This office is, therefore, fully convinced that placing the respondent under preventive suspension is proper, in accordance with Section 24 of Republic Act 6770 or the Ombudsman law.”
“Wherefore, Abundio Simbulan Punsalan, Jr. is hereby preventively suspended from office for the duration of the proceedings until the same is terminated, but not to exceed six months without pay. The period of preventive suspension shall be effective upon service to the respondent of a copy of this Order,” dagdag pa. RNT/JGC
