GAPANGADA
SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday enforced the six-month preventive suspension against Mayor Arcadio “Najie” Gapangada here.
The Ombudsman suspended Gapangada for administrative charges of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and oppression.
The cases stemmed from a complaint filed Vice Mayor Justine Colago who was installed as acting mayor by the DILG-Calabarzon.
Gapangada allegedly stripped career and plantilla officials of their functions, marginalized them, reassigned them, or bypassed them in the operations of various city offices in favor of job order employees.
Brian Mey Tomas, assistant secretary for legal and legislative affairs of the DILG, issued the order directing DILG-Calabarzon regional director Ariel Iglesia to implement Gapangada's suspension dated July 8, 2026.
Councilor Carmela Acebedo assumed the position of acting vice mayor.
Colago vowed to conduct a comprehensive review of Gapangada's appointments and ordered department heads to examine and revoke questionable job order contracts.
Gapangada denied any wrongdoing and said he will file a Motion for Reconsideration before the Ombudsman, saying his suspension violated his right to due process.