Minglanilla undergoing transition

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The local government of Minglanilla is undergoing a transition and reorganization following the preventive suspension of several top municipal officials, says the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–Cebu Province.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier this week served a one-year preventive suspension without pay on Mayor Rajiv Enad, Vice Mayor Lani Peña, and 10 municipal councilors.

The suspension stems from an administrative complaint related to the officials’ handling of reported ground cracks in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan, which were assessed as potential landslide hazards.

DILG Cebu Provincial Director Jesus Robel Sastrillo Jr. said measures are in place to ensure that government operations will continue despite the absence of key elected officials.

“This is actually to prevent hiatus and paralyzation of our local government operations and to ensure the continued delivery of services,” Sastrillo said, citing Administrative Order No. 15 (2018) and Memorandum Circular 2019-21.

Under existing policy, he explained that when a temporary vacancy occurs, the highest-ranking member of the Sangguniang Bayan automatically assumes the powers and functions of the municipal mayor to avoid a leadership vacuum.

In Minglanilla’s case, First Councilor Lheslen Enad—wife of the suspended mayor—has assumed the post of acting mayor.

Sastrillo said the automatic succession is intended to immediately stabilize executive functions in the municipality.

In a social media post, Lheslen assured residents that government services will remain uninterrupted.

“This is not easy. As a wife, this hurts. But as a public servant, my duty is clear,” she said, stressing that public service, peace and order, and the welfare of Minglanilla residents remain her top priorities.

She also pledged steady leadership, fair decision-making, and continuity of programs. “There will be no drama. Only work for the people,” she said.

Vice mayor post needs presidential designation

Unlike the mayoral position, the designation of an acting vice mayor requires an official order from the President, coursed through the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG), Sastrillo said.

He added that the remaining municipal councilors who will temporarily fill legislative posts must undergo a formal nomination and certification process from their political party.

“All belong to the Nacionalista Party, based on information from the ground, so certification from the party is needed,” Sastrillo said.

The required documents will be transmitted through official channels, with endorsements from the regional office, before a designation order is issued.

Sastrillo noted that reconstituting the municipal council requires maintaining political representation, making party certification crucial.

For sectoral representatives, he said the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation and the Liga ng mga Barangay have their own internal succession rules. Under SK bylaws, the vice president automatically becomes president in case of a vacancy, while a similar process applies within the Liga.

The DILG is set to submit a special report, along with supporting documents, to formalize the reorganization.

Endorsements expedited

The DILG Cebu Provincial Office is coordinating with local officials and political parties to expedite the process.

Sastrillo said the office is facilitating the validation of political party affiliations and required endorsements. He added that Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas has been tapped to help process documents related to the needed certifications.

“We are waiting for the documents to be submitted through proper channels,” Sastrillo said.

Despite the suspension of most members of the municipal legislative body, he assured that basic services remain uninterrupted, as department heads in the executive branch continue to perform their regular duties.

However, Sastrillo acknowledged that the temporary lack of a complete legislative body may affect the passage of measures that require a quorum.

The Ombudsman’s suspension order covers Mayor Enad, Vice Mayor Peña, and councilors Jay-R Dela Calzada, Jongjong Adlawan Jr., Jesus “Boyet” Velez, Jerry Cañares, Jimmy Caumeran, Jenny Young, Jenifer Lariosa, Prose Laput, Petronilo Traya, and Rick Ryan Zafra.

The administrative complaint was filed by private entities linked to the Jomara Group of Companies, which includes Jomara Konstruct Corporation, Jomara Agrifoods and Supply Corporation, and Mega Pacific Landfill Resources Corporation.

Businessman Josue Lapitan earlier alleged that Enad delayed and denied business and other permit applications, which he claimed violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Lapitan also claimed that the mayor influenced former governor Gwendolyn Garcia to reject a quarry application filed by his family’s businesses.

Enad previously maintained that the municipal government’s actions were based on public safety considerations, citing the ground cracks in Sitio Napo as a major factor. He also pointed to compliance issues involving the companies connected to the complaint.

Manifesto of support

Meanwhile, members of the Alayon Party issued a manifesto expressing their “full and unwavering support” for the suspended officials, saying Mayor Enad, Vice Mayor Peña, and the councilors “consistently acted in good faith and in the best interest of their constituents.”

The statement said the officials’ actions were guided by public safety, environmental protection, and the welfare of Minglanilla residents, and expressed confidence that due process will prevail.

The manifesto was signed by Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas of Cebu’s First District; Naga City Mayor Valdemar M. Chiong; Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr.; Carcar City Mayor Mario Patricio P. Barcenas; Sibonga Mayor Caroline S. Bacaltos; and San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann B. Canoy.