Issuance of preventive suspension mandatory after determination of validity of information filed

[U]pon a proper determination of the validity of the information, it becomes mandatory for the court to immediately issue the suspension order. The rule on the matter is specific and categorical. It leaves no room for interpretation. It is not within the court's discretion to hold in abeyance the suspension of the accused officer on the pretext that the order denying the motion to quash is pending review before the appellate courts. Its discretion lies only during the pre-suspension hearing where it is required to ascertain whether or not (1) the accused had been afforded due preliminary investigation prior to the filing of the information against him, (2) the acts for which he was charged constitute a violation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 3019 of the provisions of Title 7, Book II of the Revised Penal Code, or (3) the informations against him can be quashed, under any of the grounds provided in Section 2, Rules 117 of the Rules of Court. [Socrates v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. Nos. 116259-6 and 118896-97, Feb. 20, 1996. See also Bolastig v. Sandiganbayan, 235 SCRA 103 (1994).] [G.R. No. 124471. November 28, 1996]