SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – A leadership transition is now underway at San Pablo City Hall after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) moved to implement a six-month preventive suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against Mayor Arcadio “Najie” Gapangada Jr.
Under the Local Government Code, Vice Mayor Justin Colago has assumed the duties and responsibilities of the mayor during the period of preventive suspension. First-ranking City Councilor Carmela Acebedo, in turn, has assumed the duties of vice mayor to ensure the continuity of legislative functions.
The DILG confirmed that it would serve the Ombudsman’s suspension order after receiving the directive from the anti-graft office. Preventive suspension is an interim administrative measure intended to prevent a public official from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence while an investigation is pending. It is not a finding of guilt and does not determine the outcome of the administrative case.
The administrative case stems from allegations of the unauthorized modification of the salary grades of job order personnel at San Pablo City Hall. According to the Office of the Ombudsman, the alleged personnel action forms the basis of the administrative complaint that led to the issuance of the preventive suspension. The allegations remain subject to administrative proceedings, and the Ombudsman has yet to issue a final ruling on the case.
Prior to the implementation of the order, Gapangada questioned reports about the suspension and later acknowledged receiving the Ombudsman’s directive. Supporters of the mayor also held a rally expressing their backing amid the ongoing administrative proceedings.
The leadership change comes only months after tensions emerged between the mayor and the vice mayor following the filing of separate complaints involving alleged “ghost employees” in the Office of the Vice Mayor. Those complaints remain separate from the administrative case that resulted in the preventive suspension.
Despite the temporary change in leadership, City Hall operations are expected to continue without interruption under the succession mechanism provided by Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which outlines the transfer of authority when a local chief executive is unable to perform official duties.
The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to issue a final ruling on the administrative case. The preventive suspension remains effective for up to six months or until the conclusion of the proceedings, whichever comes first, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
Gapangada has filed a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) seeking to halt the implementation of the six-month preventive suspension. He also filed a motion for reconsideration with the Office of the Ombudsman, challenging the suspension order. As of publication, no court has issued a TRO, and the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension remains in effect.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
