TURMOIL CONTINUES IN URDANETA CITY

THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in a letter dated February 11, 2025, said the 12-month suspension order against Urdaneta City Mayor Julio F. Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy D. Parayno is considered to have been served before the election period that started on January 12 and, therefore, valid and does not need prior approval from the poll body.

The COMELEC explained that while a public official cannot suspend an elective official during the election period without prior approval from the COMELEC, the case of the two Paraynos is not covered because the order was already implemented on January 7, 2025 through “substituted service” following the absence of the two officials at their offices.

The letter, signed by Atty. Maria Norina S. Tangaro-Casingal, Director lV of the COMELEC, was addressed to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Jonathan Paul Leusen, Jr.

It was read during last Monday’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan session as part of the agenda involving a letter from DILG Provincial Director Virgilio Sison.

The commission’s letter was in response to Leusen’s February 5, 2025 letter addressed to COMELEC Chairman George Garcia seeking clarification on the suspension order issued by the Office of the President on January 3, 2025.

The suspension stems from charges of grave misconduct and abuse of authority filed by former Liga ng mga Barangay President Michael Brian M. Perez.

DILG representatives posted the order to the offices of the mayor and vice mayor as they were not present to receive it.

The COMELEC letter cited: “A Certification dated January 8,2025 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Regional Office I, on substituted service was also attached.”

As such, COMELEC said prior approval of the Commission is no longer required for the implementation of the suspension order.  (Eva Visperas)

DILG tells Paraynos: Comply with suspension order

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a 10-day ultimatum for Urdaneta City Mayor Julio ‘Rammy’ Parayno and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno to comply with their one-year suspension order.

The suspension order, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on January 3, 2025, stems from charges of grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct against the two Paraynos.

The city’s top two officials have continued to carry out their duties, asserting that they nor a representative officially received the suspension order served on January 7.

Mayor Parayno also defended that the suspension order should first be given clearance by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as the election period already started on January 12.

The COMELEC, however, in a letter dated February 11, 2025, already ruled that the suspension order against the two Paraynos is considered to have been served on January 7, which is before the election period and, therefore, valid “and does not need prior approval from the poll body.”

In line with the suspension order, a separate issuance has been released for First Councilor Franco del Prado and Second Councilor Warren Andrada to serve as the acting mayor and acting vice mayor, respectively, during the suspension period. (Ahikam Pasion)

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