Pangasinan mayor defies Palace suspension order

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — The mayor of Urdaneta City in Pangasinan has reportedly continued to defy a suspension order imposed by the Office of the President and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for alleged grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

Mayor Julio Parayno III said he had not done anything wrong to deserve a suspension.

On Monday, Parayno said he would sign the suspension order once it is served to him.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Jan. 3 signed the order suspending Parayno and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno.

On Jan. 7, the DILG-Ilocos issued a 12-month suspension for grave misconduct and abuse of authority against the officials.

The mayor said he has not received the order. He said he was on leave from Jan. 7 to 21.

But the office of Gov. Ramon Guico III informed the DILG-Ilocos that there was no approved leave for Parayno.

The Palace suspension order stemmed from a complaint filed by Michael Brian Perez who said the Paraynos removed him as president of the Liga ng mga Barangay and ex-officio member of the city council in June 2022.