Maguindanao del Sur governor suspends town mayor

Solaiman Sandigan —SOLAIMAN SANDIGAN FACEBOOK

COTABATO CITY — Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has ordered the 60-day preventive suspension of Datu Salibo Mayor Solaiman Sandigan after an administrative case had been filed against him.

The suspension took effect on Dec. 28 as contained in Administrative Order No. 23-001 series of 2023, according to provincial administrator Cyrus Torreña.

He said Mangudadatu issued the suspension order while the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is hearing the administrative case against Sandigan who allegedly appointed a new member of the Sangguniang Bayan after a regular member was killed in an attack last year.

The 64-year-old mayor was arrested last October after he was linked to the murder of Datu Salibo councilor Demson Silongan last April. But Sandigan was granted temporary liberty by the Cotabato City regional trial court.

READ: Cops arrest mayor over slay of town councilor in Maguindanao Sur 

Under the Local Government Code, the power to appoint a new member of the municipal council to fill a vacant seat rests with the provincial governor.