Pangasinan town mayor suspended for 60 days

SAN MANUEL, Pangasinan, Philippines  – The committee on good government and accountability of public officers of the provincial board of Pangasinan has suspended the mayor of Urbiztondo town for grave misconduct and abuse of authority. 

The committee’s decision, read by Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., committee chairman, during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s session yesterday, said the evidence against Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr. was strong.

“Considering the gravity of the offense, there is a great probability that the respondent’s continuance in office could influence the witnesses or pose a threat to the safety and integrity of the records and other evidence,” the decision said.

The committee report was signed by board members Bince Sison, Teofilo Humilde, Napoleon Fontelera Jr.,  Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Danilo Uy, Von Mark Mendoza and Salvador Perez Jr.

Second District board member Raul Sison said the complaint was filed by Loida Cancino, municipal treasurer of Urbiztondo. 

Cancino alleged that Balolong drew from the proceeds of the municipality’s P26-million loan from the Philippine National Bank without an approved appropriation ordinance. 

Balolong allegedly issued checks amounting to P20 million and P6 million under his name as cash advances.