SAN Simon Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. clarified on Tuesday, July 6, that he did not abandon his duties following reports that he voluntarily stepped down as local chief executive ahead of his pending suspension.
It was reported on Monday, July 5, that Punsalan signed a manifestation that he was ready to step down on July 1 despite the lack of official suspension order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The mayor, however, clarified that he wrote the manifestation addressed to the Municipal Council to show his willingness to serve the suspension.
“I wrote the manifestation to show that I was already ready to serve the suspension since my motion for reconsideration was already denied. We were only asking if they can already implement it,” he said.
Punsalan asserted that despite his manifestation, he continued to perform his duties inside and outside of the municipal hall.
“I did not abandon my duties. From July 1 until today, I have been attending to the various needs of Simonians and the municipality — signing documents, inspecting ongoing projects, and visiting communities,” he said.
He added: “I will continue to serve Simonians even during my suspension because as I have always been saying, public service does not require an office. I was serving Simonians before I became mayor and I will continue to do so until my term is over.”
Punsalan likewise expressed gratitude to those who have shown support to him on the new challenge he is facing.
He assured Simonians of more progressive programs and projects once he return to office after his suspension.
“Through Simonians’ support, we will come back stronger and wiser,” he said.
