SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA: The Court of Appeals (CA) 4th Division has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) and directed the Office of the Ombudsman to reinstate eight suspended board members of Antique. According to Philippines News Agency, CA Associate Justice Louis Acosta, with the concurrence of 4th Division Associate Justice chairperson Marlene Gonzales-Sison and Associate Justice Rex Bernardo Pascual, granted the application for TRO through a resolution promulgated on Nov. 7, 2024. The petitioners received a copy of the decision through their lawyers on Nov. 8. The CA resolution stated, "Let a TRO be issued effective immediately upon service hereof, and for 60 days thereafter, pending the resolution of petitioner's prayer for the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction and unless sooner revoked, enjoining herein respondents, their officers and agents, and all persons acting under them from enforcing, implementing and giving effect to the Order dated 1 August 2024 of the Office of the Ombudsman ." In granting the TRO, Acosta mentioned that the court was convinced of the possibility that the electorate of Antique would be undeservedly deprived of the services of the petitioners, who are their duly elected Provincial Board Members, should it be found that the charges against them are unmeritorious. Board Members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez, Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao, Kenneth Dave Gasalao, and Julius Cezar Tajanlangit were suspended for six months pending the investigation of their administrative case for gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, and grave abuse of authority. Niquia, a lawyer by profession and the coordinator for the seven other suspended board members, expressed his happiness with the decision that allowed them to attend the regular session on Monday. "At last, we could already return to render service to our provincemates," he said. Their staff prepared a blue armband as a gesture of welcoming them back to their offices.