Ombudsman dismisses Urdaneta mayor, 7 others for defying suspension order

The Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III, Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, and six city councilors. It found the Paraynos guilty of grave misconduct and the councilors guilty of gross neglect of duty. The ruling punishes officials who defied a suspension order and refused temporary replacements.

Malacañang suspended both Paraynos for 12 months in January 2025. They continued working after staff refused the documents and officials posted them on their office doors. The councilors, meanwhile, declined DILG appointments to assume mayoral and vice-mayoral duties during the suspension.

Beyond dismissal, penalties include canceled civil service eligibility, permanent disqualification from public office, a civil service exam ban, and forfeited retirement benefits. The Ombudsman dismissed other charges against the Paraynos for insufficient evidence. They stepped aside on March 31, 2025, were reelected in May, and it remains unclear whether anyone appealed.

These labels describe different failures in public service. Grave misconduct involves serious, intentional wrongdoing, while gross neglect means a serious failure to carry out required duties. Both matter because public officials hold powers that must be exercised lawfully and responsibly.

In Urdaneta City, the Ombudsman found Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno guilty of grave misconduct. They continued working despite a 12-month presidential suspension, including signing disbursement vouchers and issuing a business permit. Six councilors were found guilty of gross neglect after refusing DILG designations to temporarily replace them.

The decision shows how each offense works in practice: the Paraynos actively defied the order, while the councilors failed to assume assigned responsibilities. Their penalties include dismissal, loss of civil-service eligibility, permanent disqualification from public office, and forfeited retirement benefits. Other charges against the Paraynos were dismissed for insufficient evidence. The article says it remains unclear whether they appealed or sought reconsideration.

The Ombudsman disciplined eight Urdaneta City officials: Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III, Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, and six councilors. The mayor and vice mayor were accused of defying a combined 12-month suspension, imposed as six months each.

A suspension temporarily removes officials from their duties. Defying it can undermine lawful government orders and disrupt the chain of authority. On January 7, 2025, staff refused the mayor’s documents, while the vice mayor’s office was locked. The Ombudsman later treated posted copies as valid service.

The Paraynos continued working, including signing disbursement vouchers and issuing a business permit. The six councilors also refused assignments to replace them temporarily. The Ombudsman ordered dismissal and imposed additional penalties, including disqualification from public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits. The Paraynos stepped aside on March 31, 2025, but both were reelected in May. The article says it remains unclear whether respondents appealed.

Their roles differ in local-official discipline. The Office of the President can impose a suspension. The DILG carries it out and arranges temporary replacements. The Ombudsman investigates administrative complaints and decides penalties. This division matters because officials cannot simply ignore valid orders.

In Urdaneta, Malacañang suspended Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno in January 2025. DILG personnel tried to serve the orders, then posted them when offices refused or were inaccessible. The Ombudsman later treated that posting as valid service and ordered dismissal for continued work. It also found six councilors negligent for rejecting temporary assignments.

The decision shows that suspension is not merely symbolic. The DILG designated acting officials, while the Ombudsman imposed dismissal, disqualification, cancelled eligibility, and forfeited retirement benefits. Other charges against the Paraynos were dismissed for insufficient evidence. The article says appeals or reconsideration remain unclear, so the final outcome may still develop.

The Ombudsman concluded that Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno intentionally defied the suspension because they avoided receiving the order and continued exercising official powers. Their conduct went beyond a paperwork dispute: Malacañang had ordered a 12-month suspension in January 2025.

On January 7, the mayor’s staff refused the documents, while the vice mayor’s office was locked and chained. Despite this, the mayor signed disbursement vouchers, issued a business permit, and attended a flag-raising ceremony with the vice mayor. A later court ruling upheld posting the documents as valid constructive service.

That ruling meant personal receipt was unnecessary, weakening the officials’ defense. The Ombudsman treated their refusal and continued work as intentional wrongdoing, not good-faith confusion. They stepped aside only on March 31, after the DILG appointed acting replacements.

Dismissal from public service carries more than removal from a current post. Eligibility for civil service is canceled. Officials face perpetual disqualification from public office, a ban on civil service exams, and forfeited retirement benefits.

The Ombudsman imposed these penalties on Urdaneta City Mayor Julio Parayno III, Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, and six councilors. The Paraynos continued working during a 12-month suspension. The councilors refused temporary appointments meant to keep the city operating.

The decision shows that defying suspension orders can end an official’s public career and financial protections. Both Paraynos were reelected in May 2025, but the article says it remains unclear whether anyone appealed or sought reconsideration. Until that issue is resolved, the ruling’s final status is uncertain.

Succession rules prevent a suspended leader from controlling government while a replacement remains uncertain. They identify who must take charge, preserving approvals, services, records, and public accountability. Without them, officials can dispute authority, delay decisions, and leave residents vulnerable to interruption.

Malacañang suspended Mayor Julio Parayno III and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno in January 2025. Their combined suspension lasted 12 months. Under succession rules, the highest-ranking council members could assume their responsibilities. However, six councilors refused designated posts, and the Paraynos continued working until March 31.

DILG eventually designated Rio Virgilio Esteves and Blesildo Sumera as acting mayor and vice mayor. That arrangement restored a recognized chain of command, while the Ombudsman punished defiance. The decision ordered dismissal and showed that rules work only when officials accept lawful transfers of authority. Going forward, prompt service and compliance can keep city operations stable during suspensions.