The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Antique provincial office is preparing to facilitate the replacement of eight suspended Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members once clearance is granted by its central office.
This move ensures the legislative body remains functional, as only five active SP members remain following the Office of the Ombudsman’s one-year suspension order starting March 17.
DILG Antique Provincial Director John Ace Azarcon cited Administrative Order (AO) No. 15, which allows the DILG Secretary to fill temporary vacancies in local elective offices to prevent government paralysis.
The suspended members—Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Kenneth Dave Gasalao, and Julius Cezar Tajanlangit—were sanctioned for Oppression, Grave Misconduct, Abuse of Authority, Gross Neglect of Duty, and violations of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials).
The suspensions stemmed from the SP’s rejection of funding for three solar projects worth ₱765 million in the 2024 Supplemental Budget No. 1, which the Ombudsman ruled as an act undermining the local chief executive’s veto power.
Azarcon stated that the political parties of the suspended officials may nominate replacements, pending final DILG legal guidance.
