PANDI, Bulacan, Philippines — A village chief here was meted a two-week suspension recently by the municipal council here for allegedly spreading a “malicious rumor” that a vehicle of the municipal government was used in the delivery of prohibited drugs.

The Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) issued the suspension order against Barangay Bagong Barrio Chairman Florentino “Tinoy” Sebastian.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Pandi security officer Armando Concepcion against Sebastian for allegedly spreading a rumor that a kilo of metamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu,” a prohibited substance under the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, was seized by lawmen inside a Toyota Innova van owned by the municipal government.

Sebastian’s story alleged that the drugs were seized while the vehicle was parked in Concepcion’s house in San Jose del Monte City.