SAN Simon seemed to have become “mayorless” for a few days after its incumbent Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. allegedly stepped down on July 1.
According to reports, Punsalan wrote a “manifesto” of his voluntary stepping down as local chief executive ahead of the formal serving of his suspension order.
It could be remembered that Punsalan and five other councilors are facing suspension after they were found guilty of dishonesty, grave misconduct in office, gross negligence in the performance of official duties, gross dereliction of duty and grave abuse of authority.
Punsalan reportedly filed a motion for reconsideration before the Provincial Board but was denied on June 28.
Based on rule of succession, Vice Mayor Leonora Wong must assume the mayoralty position in the absence of the elected one.
But Wong on Monday, July 5, clarified she has not officially assumed the post pending the official order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“I don’t want to make it seem like I am excited to seat as mayor, especially that there is no official order yet from the DILG,” she said.
The vice mayor, however, said that she is ready to assume the position and lead the municipality again once the order is made official.
“I was a mayor for nine years so the job is not new to me. I also believe in the resilience of local government employees in adapting to new — technically to them is old — leadership and governance,” Wong said.
The official suspension order from the DILG is expected to be served within this week, according to reports.
