The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Urdaneta City Mayor Julio RAMMY Parayno III, Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, and six councilors in Pangasinan for defying a suspension order issued by Malacañang and failing to comply with government directives.
In a decision signed by Ombudsman Boying Remulla, the mayor and vice mayor were found administratively liable for grave misconduct, while the six councilors were found guilty of gross neglect of duty. The decision was publicly reported on Oct. 16.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed in 2022 by Michael Brian Perez, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, over his alleged illegal removal from office, which also affected his representation on the city council. The dispute led the Office of the President to impose a 12-month suspension on the mayor and vice mayor in January 2025.
On Jan. 7, 2025, personnel from the DILG attempted to serve the suspension order at city hall. Employees reportedly refused to receive the documents, while the vice mayor’s office was found locked. Authorities subsequently posted the notices on office doors.
The Ombudsman found that the mayor and vice mayor continued performing their official duties despite the suspension, including signing checks, issuing memorandums, and attending public activities.
In February 2025, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla gave the two officials 10 days to comply with the suspension order. Speaking at a news conference in Baguio City, he warned that the DILG would not tolerate continued defiance of orders from the Office of the President.
The DILG also took steps to enforce the suspension, including directing its regional office to prevent the officials from exercising their authority and coordinating with government agencies concerning financial transactions involving the city government.
The Paraynos challenged the suspension, questioning whether the notices had been properly served and arguing that its implementation violated election-period restrictions. However, the Ombudsman cited a Regional Trial Court ruling upholding the validity of the service of the suspension notices.
The six councilors, identified as Franco Paolo Del Prado, Warren Andrada, Aurelio Agsalud Sr., Franklin Villanueva, Jhan Hero Sumera, and Alfonso Miguel Del Prado, were separately found liable for avoiding DILG designation orders requiring them to assume temporary leadership positions during the suspension.
Apart from dismissal, all eight officials were penalized with permanent disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and a prohibition on taking civil service examinations.
The Ombudsman also dismissed several alternative administrative charges against the mayor and vice mayor, including grave abuse of authority and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, due to insufficient evidence.
Following the dismissal, Blesildo “Bles” Sumera was sworn in as mayor, while Rio Esteves assumed the vice mayoralty. Replacements for the six dismissed councilors had not yet been announced as of Oct. 16.
DILG Pangasinan Provincial Director Gerald Gallardo said the affected officials could file a motion for reconsideration or appeal the decision. However, the dismissal would remain enforceable unless a competent authority issued an order stopping its implementation.
