(Eagle News)– Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. on Wednesday (December 14) agreed to temporarily step down in compliance with the 90-day suspension ordered by the Sandiganbayan following the graft charges he is facing.
Espino said he will temporarily step down from his post starting December 15 until March 15, 2017.
The lawmaker said accepting his suspension was not an admission of his guilt, rather he is serving it “with a heavy heart as it effectively deprives his constituents of its voice in Congress.”
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division ordered Espino’s suspension in September in connection with the graft case concerning the alleged illegal black sand mining activity in Lingayen Gulf during his time as governor.
Espino has pleaded not guilty to the graft charges.
