Pampanga mayor suspended over Pogo case; daughter takes overMayor Jaime “Jing” Capil of Porac, Pampanga, gets a 90-day preventive suspension for seven counts of graft in connection with the operation of a Philippine offshore gaming operator in the town until 2024. (Photo courtesy of Bayung Porac)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— Vice Mayor Jen Capil began serving as mayor of Porac, Pampanga, on Monday, after her father, Jaime “Jing” Capil, was suspended for 90 days due to graft related to operating a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) in the municipality.

Myra Soriano, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said the agency served the 90-day preventive suspension order on Mayor Capil last Friday.

The order was issued in a resolution by Acting Presiding Judge Josephine Advento of Branch 265 of the Regional Trial Court in Pasig City on Feb. 23.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission filed the criminal case, which includes seven counts of graft for violating Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“Accused Capil was charged with committing fraud when he gave unwarranted benefit, advantage, and preference to Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. by approving, issuing, and granting a mayor’s business permit in favor of Lucky South 99 to operate as a Pogo despite not being legally entitled to such permit,” a portion of Advento’s order read.

Capil had earlier argued that a preventive suspension was “no longer necessary or reasonable.”