Provincial

REMULLA ‘CASTIGATES’ SUSPENDED QUEZON TOWN MAYOR OVER ALLEGED REFUSAL TO VACATE OFFICE

admin April 8, 2025

INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla “castigated” the mayor of Infanta, Quezon for allegedly continuously holding office despite the suspension order issued against her.

Remulla, in a letter dated April 4, 2025, warned Mayor Filipina Grace America for ignoring the 45-day suspension order issued to her by the office of the provincial governor last November.

“According to pertinent reports from DILG-Quezon Provincial Office, you continue to occupy the Office of the Mayor of Infanta, Quezon and perform the functions of the same despite the January 10, 2025 decision of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan imposing a penalty of 90-day suspension against you,” said Remulla in his letter.

The January 10, 2025 order was served at the mayor’s office by the provincial office of the DILG based in Lucena City.

The suspension stemmed from America’s issuance of a business permit to a cockpit arena despite the absence of a legislative franchise that should be issued by the Sangguniang Bayan.

Prior to this, the Sangguniang Bayan filed before the Ethics Committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan cases of grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority against America.

On Nov. 18, America was preventively suspensed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for 45 days but she managed to get a stay order from the Office of the President.

After a series of hearings, on Jan. 10 the Provincial Council finally imposed a 90-day suspension as a penalty to America.

The lady mayor reportedly still refused to vacate her office.

Earlier the DILG regional office directed Vice Mayor Lord Arnel Ruanto to take over as acting mayor.

“This office hereby reiterates the January 16, 2025 letter of Regional Director Ariel O. Iglesia, finding that the abovementioned decision is immediately executory albeit not yet final and noting that under Section 48 of the Local Government Code , the Vice Mayor shall automatically exercise the powers and perform the duties of the local chief executive upon the suspension of the mayor,” Remulla’s letter further stated.