Mingla mayor’s wife takes over after Ombudsman suspension

Local

THE wife of the suspended Minglanilla mayor, who happens to be elected first councilor, will temporarily assume the town’s top post following a one-year suspension issued by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu on Tuesday, Feb. 3,confirmed that Lheslen Enad will serve as acting mayor.

DILG Cebu provincial director Jesus Sastrillo Jr. said the designation ensures continuity of local government operations and uninterrupted delivery of services to residents.

"This is to prevent hiatus and paralization of local government operations to ensure an uninterrupted delivery of basic services to the local constituents," he said.

Based on DILG rules, since the vice mayor is also suspended, who should assume if the mayor is suspended, thus the post is filled by the first councilor.

The vice mayor and municipal councilor positions require separate designation orders from the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, as well as nomination and certification from their political party, the Nacionalista Party.

Sastrillo said the agency is coordinating with party leaders to expedite the selection and certification of temporary officials.

As acting mayor, Lheslen can sign contracts and vouchers to maintain daily operations but cannot appoint, suspend, or dismiss officials unless the suspension exceeds 30 days.

Nature of case

The suspension affects Mayor Rajiv Enad, Vice Mayor Lani Peña, and 10 councilors who served in the previous term, including 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 case that prompted the suspension originated from complaints filed by private entities linked to the operator of the Minglanilla landfill.

The officials were accused of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) for allegedly failing to issue permits in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan, including a goat farm and motorpool.

Previous complaints filed by the same group had been dismissed, leaving this as the only unresolved case.

The suspended mayor said the actions cited in the complaint followed a warning from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, which detected ground cracks in the area assessed as potential landslide hazards.

The local government ordered evacuations and restricted certain activities to protect residents.

Enad stressed that all decisions were guided by public safety and the general welfare of the community, reassuring residents that municipal operations will continue despite the suspension.

He said he respects the Office of the Ombudsman and intends to pursue all available legal remedies.

Ready to assume

In a message to residents, the acting mayor acknowledged the personal difficulty of stepping into the acting mayor role, saying, “This is not easy. As a wife, this hurts. But as a public servant, my duty is clear.”

She assured constituents that municipal services will continue without interruption and promised steady leadership, fair decisions, and honest service.

"To our constituents, I hear you. You can expect steady leadership, fair decisions, and honest service. There will be no drama," she added.

Sastrillo said the DILG is coordinating with the political party and the regional office to fill the remaining vacant posts as quickly as possible to maintain full functionality of the local government.(MyTVCebu)