1 month ago
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URDANETA CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reaffirmed the suspension order against Mayor Julio Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno which has been in force since Jan. 7.
"This Department categorically declares that the 12-month suspension of Mayor Julio Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno was duly served on Jan. 7, 2025," DILG Undersecretary Romeo Benitez said in an advisory dated Jan. 31.
Benitez emphasized that the officials remain suspended until they have fully served their penalties.
Malacañang had ordered their suspension after finding them administratively liable for grave misconduct and abuse of authority.
However, Mayor Parayno defied the order, arguing that he did not receive it on Jan. 7 as he was on leave at the time.
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During a flag-raising ceremony last month, Parayno claimed that Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who signed his suspension order, was unaware of it.
He also said that Bersamin is his friend.
Gov. Ramon Guico III refuted Parayno's claim of being on leave from Jan. 7 to 21, saying that his vacation request was not approved due to noncompliance with administrative requirements.
Benitez warned that any official acts or directives issued by the suspended officials have no legal effect.
"All acts, declarations, orders or pronouncements made by [the mayor and vice mayor] are bereft of legal effects, and persistent reliance upon them amounts to usurpation of functions," he said.
Benitez said the DILG has received reports that Mayor Parayno continues to perform his duties despite the suspension, while the office of Vice Mayor Parayno remains padlocked.
He also said that councilors Franco Paolo del Prado and Warren Andrada — the highest and second-highest ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod members, respectively — have yet to assume office as acting mayor and acting vice mayor.
Benitez cautioned both councilors that their refusal to assume their designated roles could lead to criminal or administrative charges.
On Tuesday, DILG Ilocos Regional Director Jonathan Leusen Jr. traveled to the city hall here to meet and advise the councilors to assume office, but he did not find them in their offices.
The Paraynos were also not in the city hall at that time.
Parayno's suspension stemmed from an administrative complaint filed before the Office of the President by then-Liga ng mga Barangay president Michael Brian Perez against the mayor and the vice mayor in October 2022.
Last October, the provincial board suspended Mayor Parayno after he was found guilty of violating Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
