MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan 6th Division has placed Tarlac 3rd District Representative Noel Rivera under a 90-day preventive suspension in connection with graft charges filed against him.
The legal proceedings stem from allegations that Rivera maintained financial interests in nine public infrastructure contracts awarded to Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corporation while serving as a lawmaker from 2022 to 2025.
In a resolution promulgated on Tuesday, September 29, the anti-graft court ordered Rivera’s temporary suspension from his post in the House of Representatives.
The directive followed a September 16 hearing where prosecutors formally requested Rivera’s suspension, leading the tribunal to issue a five-day order for the lawmaker to explain why he should not be suspended while the trial is underway.
In his defense, Rivera argued that “the facts alleged in the Informations do not charge an offense because they are bereft of allegations showing the acts constituting his intervention.”
He added that “the defect in the Informations cannot be cured by the evidence the prosecution intends to present during the trial.”
Furthermore, Rivera contended that “the malfeasance sought to be prevented by suspension has been eliminated by his divestment of his interest in Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corporation.” He asserted that he no longer holds any role as a shareholder, officer, or director of the company and is incapable of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
He also stated that as a member of Congress, he holds no authority over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), emphasizing that his suspension “would deprive his constituents of representation in the House of Representatives.”
However, the anti-graft tribunal noted that Rivera had already been afforded due process to question the validity of the charges through earlier motions to quash, which were dismissed on September 9 due to lack of merit.
“The arguments as to the validity of Informations raised by accused Rivera in his instant Comment are merely substantial reiterations of this in his previous Motions to Quash,” the court stated.
“The Court already considered the same and found them to be without merit when it denied the said Motions to Quash in the said Resolutions. Thus there is no more question as to the validity of the Informations,” the ruling added.
The court concluded that all legal requirements under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, were satisfied, ruling that “the Court must order the suspension of accused Rivera.”