The swift suspension by the Ombudsman of National Irrigation Administration administrator Benny Antiporda elicited comments from members of the House of Representatives who said the suspension is not only questionable but also places at risk the country's energy supply requirement and irrigation needs.

Antiporda said the allegations hurled against him are part of a demolition job to remove him from office to cover up anomalies he had unearthed in the agency.

"Their objective is to get the President's notice so I can be removed from office," he said referring to the NIA's concerned employees and the agency's lawyers who submitted petitions to the Ombudsman.

"It is alarming that a public official's reputation can be assailed through the Ombudsman over his management style which is required to stop the anomalies at the NIA," Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association representative, Presley de Jesus said.

The solon was referring to the complaint filed against Antiporda by two former NIA officials for alleged grave misconduct, harassment, oppression, and ignorance of the law, which was immediately acted upon by the OMB with a 6-month preventive suspension without pay of Antiporda last 15 November.

Missing complaint document

Up to now, however, Antiporda, who immediately complied with the OMB order, has yet to receive a formal copy of the complaint against him.

On the other hand, the OMB is yet to act on the complaint for graft and corruption filed by Antiporda against former NIA Legal Department head, Atty. Lloyd Allain Cudal and former NIA Board secretary, Michelle Gonzales Raymundo last September and October, respectively.

Iloilo Rep. Julienne "Jamjam" Baronda, the first lady solon of Iloilo for her part, also voiced her concern over the OMB's action.

Baronda said she found it questionable that the OMB immediately suspended Antiporda but failed to take action on the complaints he has filed against Cudal and Raymundo.

The timing of Antiporda's suspension, she added, is also "suspicious" as it came right after Congress approved the proposed budget of the OMB and while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who appointed Antiporda, is busy preparing for the APEC meeting.