CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Police Regional Office-1 provided security to the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure the orderly implementation of the suspension order against Urdaneta City, Pangasinan Mayor Julio Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno on Friday morning, March 14.
EVANGELISTA (FB)
Police Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista, Ilocos police chief, personally assisted DILG-Region 1 Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen Jr. in enforcing the decision.
Evangelista said the order was peacefully enforced.
“The peaceful implementation of the suspension order reflects our mutual commitment in maintaining peace and order not only in Urdaneta City, but to the entire Ilocos community,” he said.
“This is a result of understanding, proper communication, and coordination among involved parties. On our part, rest assured that we will remain non-partisan and will uphold our mandates in protecting and serving the community with utmost discipline, integrity, and professionalism,” added Evangelista.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla on Thursday, March 13, directed the DILG-Region 1 to prevent the defiant mayor and vice mayor from holding on to their posts.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin issued a one-year suspension dated Jan. 3, 2025 for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority following the complaint of barangay captain Michael Brian M. Perez on Oct. 28, 2022 against the Paraynos.
Mayor Parayno defied Malacanang and insisted his suspension was not proper as he did not sign any order as he was on leave when it was served.
The provincial government said no leave was approved for Parayno who said the suspension order is not enforceable as it fell within the election ban.
The Commission on Elections stated that the suspension did not violate any of their guidelines and thus legal.
Despite these, Mayor Parayno continued to assume functions and even issued executive orders and signed documents and transactions.