By Tara Yap
Iloilo City – Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas, who is facing suspension, wants a “caretaker” for his congressional office.
Treñas told Manila Bulletin he prefers Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. to be the caretaker.
The Sandiganbayan has ordered the congressman suspended for a 90 days he was indicted for a graft case.
Treñas allegedly gave “unwarranted benefits” to the Iloilo Press Club (IPC) when he was mayor. He approved the release of P500,000 from the pork barrel of Sen. Loren Legarda to IPC, which was not an accredited non-governmental organization in 2003-2004.
The Sandiganbayan did not specify a date for the suspension, but Treñas said he has been coordinating with the House secretary-general.
He said Defensor’s function will be purely administrative and can only sign papers on his behalf.
Treñas is confident the case will be dismissed, and maintains that facilitating the release of the fund to IPC was done legally and subjected to an audit.