Laguna mayor suspended over workers’ transfer

LAGUNA, Philippines — San Pablo Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. has been suspended for six months for allegedly transferring and stripping city hall employees and officials of their functions to accommodate job-order workers.

The suspension order, dated July 8 and signed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, was served by the Department of the Interior and Local Government yesterday morning.

The DILG installed Vice Mayor Justin Colago as acting mayor and First Councilor Carmela Acebedo as acting vice mayor.

The suspension stemmed from a complaint filed by Colago on June 26, accusing Gapangada of committing grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and oppression.

Before the order was served, rumors about Gapangada’s suspension had spread on social media.

DILG-Calabarzon director Ariel Iglesia said the complainant and the respondent had been given advance copies of the suspension order, while he received the document only on Monday night.

Gapangada said he would ask the court to stop the implementation of the order.

He appealed for support from his fellow members of the Mayors for Good Governance.

“They filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on June 26, and within a week, a resolution was issued. We have not received any notice of suspension or whatever document,” Gapangada told The STAR.