EIGHT CHARGES FILED BEFORE OMBUDSMAN

URDANETA City Mayor Julio Parayno III is fighting back against his political opponents and filed criminal and administrative complaints against Gov. Ramon Guico III before the Office of the Ombudsman for Luzon, as a result of his 90-day suspension in August last year that stemmed from a provincial government order over an alleged violation of the ease of doing business law.

In his affidavit-complaint sworn before Prosecutor Lawrence Patrick Estilliore on January 20, 2025 at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Urdaneta City, Parayno accused Guico of Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions, Open Disobedience, and Disobeying Request for Disqualification, all punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

Additionally, the mayor accused the governor of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, Gross Neglect of Duty, Acts Unbecoming of Civil Service Employee, and Violation of Republic Act No. 6713 in alleged violation of the Administrative and Civil Service Codes of the Philippines.

Parayno said that Guico had the personal knowledge that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) had no jurisdiction to try the case in accordance with Section 15 of RA No. 11032, which provides that such cases should be filed with the Civil Service Commission or the Office of the Ombudsman.

This indicates, he said, that his suspension was clearly politically motivated as the governor’s wife is running against him for mayor in the coming May elections.

He added that despite the decision of the Regional Trial Court Branch 73 declaring as null and void the administrative proceedings before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and enjoining further proceedings, the suspension order was still served, clearly violating Article 242 of the Revised Penal Code for Disobeying Request for Disqualification.

He also cited that before the imposition of the preventive suspension against him, the provincial board members were given free travel to New York, USA in early June of 2024 and in Spain and other parts of Europe later sponsored by the governor and new vehicles funded by the provincial government under the auspices of the governor.

Parayno asked the Ombudsman to criminally charge the governor for violation of Articles 177, 231 and 242 of the Revised Penal Code; and that he be administratively charged under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

He also asked the Ombudsman that an investigation be conducted moto proprio on the foreign travels and issuance of Toyota Grandia vans to the members of the SP. (Leonardo Micua)

NO OFFICIAL RECEIPT OF SUSPENSION ORDER

Parayno still serving as Urdaneta’s mayor 

MAYOR Julio Parayno III declared in a speech in front of the city hall following a flag ceremony last January 20 that he remains as chief executive of Urdaneta City and continues to perform his duties since he has yet to officially receive his new suspension order issued by the Office of the President on January 3, 2025.

“Nandito ako bilang mayor ng Urdaneta, ginagampanan ko ang aking tungkulin bilang mayor ng Urdaneta,” he said.

He told city hall employees and barangay officials in attendance that his suspension order for two cases filed by a former Liga ng Barangay president six months ago was served on January 7 while he was on sick leave from January 7 to 20 after his application for a vacation leave was not approved by Governor Ramon Guico III, and coverted it to sick leave as every public official has the right for such leaves.

Nevertheless, he cut short his sick leave and reported to office on January 13, the day after he performed an official function as mayor when he received Papal Nuncio Charles Brown who visited Urdaneta on January 12.

Parayno is still awaiting his suspension order to be served officially, but noted that the official mandated to serve it very well knows that it will be in violation of the election law because the election period already started on January 12 and will last till June 11.

Under election rules, an exemption or approval of the Commission on Elections is needed to put into effect the suspension of any public official, he said.

Parayno — who is seeking reelection for a third and final term of office and is up against Mrs. Maan Tuazon-Guico, the governor’s wife — said that he will gladly accept his suspension if those who will serve the order can show proof they had secured a Comelec exemption.

His and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno’s suspension stemmed from the criminal and administrative complaints filed by a dismissed Liga ng Barangay president and ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod before the Ombudsman and the Office of the President, respectively.

The criminal case before the Ombudsman was already dismissed while the administrative case before the Office of the President is pending.

He asserted that the dismissal of the former Liga president and ex-official councilor was justified for his absences and poor performance as a member of the city council. (Leonardo Micua) 

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