San Simon mayor suspended for 6 months over alleged graft

San Simon Mayor Abundio "Jun" Punsalan Jr. has been ordered suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman pending investigation into alleged graft and extortion.

The suspension stems from complaints filed by RealSteel Corporation representatives and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding an alleged orchestrated extortion attempt.

According to the Ombudsman, Punsalan demanded P125 million, later increased to P155 million, and then reduced to P80 million from RealSteel Corporation.

The bribe was allegedly in exchange for the approval of business permits, the continuation of tax incentives, and noninterference in the implementation of the town's local tax incentive ordinance.

Punsalan allegedly warned that he could use his influence over the Sangguniang Bayan, whose members are his political allies.

The charges against Punsalan include Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and Conduct Prejudicial Against the Interest of the Service.

The Ombudsman issued the suspension order, citing that Punsalan's continued stay in office may prejudice the just disposition of the cases.

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